Doris Fay Howell
Doris Fay Howell, beloved wife of Arthur W. Howell, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2000.
Doris was born on May 27, 1926, in Niceville, Fla. Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her life was dedicated to her Lord and family.
Doris was a life member of First Baptist Church of Niceville. She retired from the Okaloosa County school district food service in 1985.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Peggy Ann Stephens. Doris is survived by her husband, Arthur W. Howell; her children and their spouses, Butch and Dian Howell, Donnie and Donna Howell of Niceville, Bonnie and Joey Roberts of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; brother and wife, Clayton and Lois Spencer; sister, Talmage Hart of Niceville; grandchildren, Michelle, Greg, Sean, Paul, Willie B. Beccalee, Michael and Kenny; and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at First Baptist Church of Niceville, with visitation one hour prior to services. The Rev. Gerald Reeves will officiate. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Valparaiso, Fla.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville.
Dean L. Taylor
Dean L. Taylor passed away on Aug. 22, 2000, at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Fla., unexpectedly.
Dean was the son of the Late Emery C. and Marie A. Kamerath Taylor, born on September 16, 1929, in Madison, Wisc.
He was a career soldier serving his country for 25 years in the United States Army, then worked for Fairchild Industries for 10 years before retiring. Dean was a true outsdoorsman enjoying fishing, camping and hunting. He was active in many fraternal organizations, the Eglin Officers Club, the VFW 7674, The American Legion, and former member of the Moose Lodge #2193 Fort Walton Beach, The Elks BPOE #1795, Fort Walton Beach and The Seagull R.V. Club.
Dean is survived by his wife Tomiko at home; three sons, Chris and wife Johnalee Taylor, Madison, Wisc., Thomas and Karen Taylor, Phoenix, Ariz. and Erick and Joy Taylor, Madison, Wis.; two daughters, Barbara Taylor, Lancaster, Penn., Judy Taylor, Albuquerque, N.M.; 10 grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Lenny Taylor, Madison, Wis., and four nephews.
A memorial celebration of life service will be conducted on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 2 p.m. at McLaughlin Twin Cities Chapel with a Seagull R.V. service and full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the PAWS Animal Shelter, 752 Lovejoy Road., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.
Arrangements are under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Parkway, Niceville, Fla.
Conrad L. Story
Major Conrad L. Story, USAF retired, age 66 of Shalimar, Fla., passed away at his home after a brief illness on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. He was born in Ashburn, Ga., on Sept. 26, 1933, to James L. and Beulah P. Story.
He married Dorothy J. Anderson on Sept. 10, 1960 at Smyrna AFB, Tenn. Mr. Story was stationed at Hurlburt Field and piloted the AC-130 Gunship before he retired from the military in 1976. After retirement he received a degree in business from Troy State University. Later he instructed AC-120 simulator training at Duke Field. He enjoyed playing golf, geneology and especially with his family.
He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; his son Bruce and wife Vicki, granddaughters, Andrea and Allison Story of Shalimar, son Steven and wife Joan, grandchildren, Matthew and Sara Story of Los Alamos, N.M., and his daughter Kim and husband Don Kelgard and granddaughter Ashley of Garland, Texas; his brother Bill Story and wife Marvlyn of Cordele, Ga. and sister Sue Hardy and husband Charles of Sycamore, Ga.; his aunts Eula Mae Johnson, Addie Cranmon and Lois McGee; Uncle Reuben Pitts and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
A graveside service will be held Monday, Aug. 28, 2000, at Barrancas National Cemetary at 11:45 a.m.
Flowers will be accepted or contributions can be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 110 Hart Street, Niceville, FL 32578.
Arrangements under the direction of Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
William Bryan (Bill) Welch Jr.
William Bryan (Bill) Welch Jr. passed away on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000. He was born on July 1, 1922, in Meridian, Miss., to William Bryan Sr. and Lucille Welch. He was a graduate of Meridian High School and attended Georgia Tech and the University of Alabama, where he received his degree in accounting. He was commissioned in 1944 through the aviation cadet program and served in the European Theatre of Operations, flying P-51s with the 352nd Fighter Group during WW II.
After two tours in Vietnam, he retired to Fort Walton Beach as lieutenant colonel of the United States Air Force in 1968. In 1972, he started his own accounting firm and was later joined by his son, Paul.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Edwina Bishop Welch, of Shalimar, Fla., originally from Lauderdale, Miss. He was dearly loved and will be missed by his children, William (Paul) Welch of Fort Walton Beach, Cheryl Jo Nix and husband Jerry of Atlanta, Ga., Chryste Jan Carroll and husband Al of Orlando, Fla. He is also survived by grandchildren, Hannah Carroll, Hope Martin and husband Craig, Jay Nix and Scott Nix; and great-grandchildren, Savannah and Grace Martin.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, 2000, at the Shalimar United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Chunn, pastor and the Rev. Jerry Hollis, Minister of Music, officiating. Interment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2000, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach.
Flowers are gratefully accepted or those wishing may make a contribution in his memory to Shalimar United Methodist Youth Program.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Robert Michael Greene
Robert Michael Greene, age 43, died Aug. 24, 2000, in Panama City Beach, Fla. Michael was born Oct. 24, 1956 in McMinnville, Tenn., the son of Robert E. and Jeannie Fitts Greene. He was a resident of Mary Esther, Fla., for the past 8 1/2 years after moving from Daytona Beach. He was a 1974 graduate of Walton High School, and was a well known radio personality. He was also noted for writing a special song titled "God's Special Choir" and for being a supporter of children's charities and projects for law enforcement and schools. He listed his own hobby as "spreading happiness to my fellow man." He was a Baptist by faith and a member of the First Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs and attended the Mary Esther Methodist Church.
Survivors include his father and mother, Robert E. and Jeannie Greene of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; his wife of 21 years, Lucy C. Greene of Mary Esther, Fla.; two sons, Jesse M. and Dylan M. Greene, both of Mary Esther, Fla.; one daughter, Taylor M. Greene of Mary Esther, Fla. and one brother, David Greene and his wife, Tina of Melbourne, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mike Roberts and Dr. Bob Jaye officiating.
A time of visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2000, at Clary-Godwin Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs, Fla.
An account has been established at People's First Bank and anyone wishing to do so may make donations to the "Robert Michael Greene Memorial Account."
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
James (Jim) L. Hunt
James (Jim) L. Hunt, age 65, of Baker, Fla. passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2000. Jim came to Okaloosa County as a state trooper in 1956 with continuous service until he retired in 1992.
Survivors include: His wife, Helen Sue Hunt; children and grandchildren, Stephen Michael and wife Sandra Hunt and Casey and Tyler; Michael Dodson and wife Tracy and Shawn, Chelsey, and Montana; two brothers, Bob and wife Ruth Hunt and Kevin and James, Charles and wife Joyce Hunt and Vince.
A time of visitation with the family will be Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whitehurst Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at Whitehurst Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, Aug. 28, 2000 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Raymond Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery with Whitehurst Funeral Home in charge of the services and arrangements.
Active Pallbears are Cpl. B. Stewart, Cpl. R. Gross, Tpr. R. Carlan, Tpr. J. Burnham, Tpr. R. Stokes, Tpr. J. Maddrey, Tpr. M. Hulion, Sgt. M. Fulford. Honorary Pallbears are all active and retired members of the Florida Highway Patrol.
Malcolm R. Klauss Sr.
Malcolm R. Klauss, Sr., a resident of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., since 1948 passed away Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000. Mr. Klauss was born Oct. 23, 1920, in Belzoni, Miss., to George and Ruby Klauss.
Mr. Klauss was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Cecile Adell Klauss. Mr. Klauss's career with the Federal Government began in Vicksburg, Miss., at Camp 3 of the Civilian Conservation Corp. (CCC) on July 4, 1939. He was accepted into civil service Nov. 1, 1940, at McComb, Miss. His career concluded with his retirement as Deputy Chief of Material after 34 years of service from Eglin Air Force Base on June 30, 1974. Mr. Klauss was a Charter member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach and was a founding member of the Eglin Federal Credit Union, a member of the Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club of Fort Walton Beach, past president of Okland Heights Elementary, Pryor Jr. High and Choctawhatchee High School PTA's.
He took great pride and joy in his role as father to Madeline Adell Klauss McMillan, Malcolm Rodman Klauss Jr., Arthur B. Klauss, Deborah Sue Klauss Pezzillo, Katherine Diane Klauss, Melanie Ann Klauss Stanfford; grandfather to Alan McMillan Jr., Susan Adell McMillan Grey, Preston McMillan, Kimberly Klauss Lamar, Malcolm Klauss III (Trae), William Klauss, Samuel Klauss, Noah Klauss, Windy Klauss Harland, Arthur Klauss, Jr. (Bo), Hannah Klauss, Rachel Klauss, Jonathan Klauss, Katie Pezzillo, Perry Stafford Jr., Benjamin Stafford and great grandfather of 12.
A visitation will be held at McLaughlin Mortuary on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, from 3 to 5 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 1st United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach on Monday, Aug. 28, 2000, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make your donations to the Salvation Army Angel Tree Fund of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
McLaughlin Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements.
Denise Muriel Bacon
Mrs. Denise Muriel Bacon, housewife, age 74, Shalimar, Fla., passed away at her home Sunday, Aug. 20, 2000.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, she grew up in Benton Harbor, Mich. She attended Rockford College in Rockford, Ill., where she studied art. At a summer arts festival in South Haven, Mich., she met artist Bradshaw Kendell who asked her to be a model for a war-time poster he was painting. She consented and became the original model for the vintage "Are you a girl with a Star-Spangled heart?" World War II Women's Army Corps (WAC) recruiting poster.
Mrs. Bacon and her husband moved to this area in 1970 from LaPlace, La. An avid cat lover, she supported various animal humane organizations. She was predeceased by her husband, Maj. Blaine Pierce Bacon, USAF (Ret.)
Survivors include sons, Maj. Stephen Blaine Bacon, USAF (Ret.) and wife, Brenda, Howe, Ind. and Richard Scott Bacon and wife, Mindy, Palm Harbor, Fla.; brother, Dr. Joseph Leek of Duluth, Minn.; six grandchildren, four great-granddaughters and her beloved cat, Rusty.
Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 28, 2000, in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla., with the Chaplain Joel Underwood officiating.
The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Save Our Cats and Kittens Inc. Building Fund, 122 N.E. Racetrack Road., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 or to Hospice of Northwest Florida, Inc., 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. is in charge of the arrangements.
Robert B. Armstrong
Robert B. Armstrong, age 93, of Shalimar, Fla., died Aug. 24, 2000, at Westwood Healthcare Center. He was born June 18, 1907, in Kellerman, Ala., son of the late Robert Washington and Mary Switzer Armstrong. He had lived in Chickasaw, Ala., before moving to Shalimar in 1965. He had owned and operated a grocery store for many years before retiring. He was Baptist by faith.
He is survived by his wife, Clair Armstrong, of Shalimar; daughter, Mary Jo Barringer and her husband, David, of Northport, Ala.; son, Robert D. Armstrong, and his wife, Barbara, of Franklin, Tenn.; step-sons, Dr. Gary Cooper, and his wife, Marilyn, of Lewisburg, W.Va., Wallace Cooper, and his wife, Jackie, of Meridianville, Ala., and James Cooper, and his wife, Judy, of Mobile, Ala. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2000, at Beal Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Bob Cupstid officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. Monday until the time of service at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. N.E.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. N.E, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Joseph H. Jones
Joseph H. Jones, age 61, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Aug. 23, 2000, at Destin Healthcare Center.
He was born in Town Creek, Ala., on Nov. 13, 1938, to John Minor Jones and Mae Fannie Shaw. He retired from the Army in 1976 and lived in New Jersey until 1991, when he moved to Fort Walton Beach. He worked at Metric Systems Corporation and the Destin Army Recreation Center until his retirement in 1999.
He enjoyed fishing and full-time RV'ing. He spent many enjoyable hours telling stories of his military experiences.
He is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Fort Walton Beach; daughter, Sherry, of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Joseph, and his sons of Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Ruth, Cigger Lee, Trigger Lee, Clemmie, Annie, Gay; and brothers, John and James.
There will be a visitation at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E. from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, 2000.
There will be no funeral. Joseph will be cremated and his cremated remains will be scattered at a latter date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his memory to Hospice of Northwest Florida.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd. N.E., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Van Ness R. "Van" Butler Sr.
Van Ness R. "Van" Butler Sr., of Grayton Beach, Fla., passed away peacefully on Aug. 25, 2000, at the age of 96.
He was born in Canova, S.D., on Sept. 21, 1903, and arrived in DeFuniak Springs with his parents, Willis H. and Elsie Holmes Butler, and family in 1907.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Helen Enzor Butler; brothers, Bert Butler and James Butler; and sisters, Alice Kennedy and Ruth Gardner.
Survivors include his son, Van Ness R. Butler Jr. and his wife, Jonnye, of Grayton Beach; daughters, Helen Janice Toole of Grayton Beach and Elsie Gretchen Enfinger of Tallahassee, Fla.; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Van grew up in DeFuniak Springs, where he graduated from Walton High School in 1922, and attended Palmer College. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1926 and began a teaching career in Point Washington and Santa Rosa Beach that same year. Van married Helen Enzors, also a teacher, in 1929. Van taught and was principal of what is now Bay Middle School and also the old Cessena Built School in Santa Rosa for over 30 years. He was honored for his educational contributions by having a new elementary school in South Walton named for him in 1996.
Van homesteaded 80 acres of land in Grayton Beach in 1926. In 1936, he inherited additional property in Grayton Beach and began a second career in the summer season selling lots and renting cottages. In 1938, he built a store and recreation hall in Grayton Beach, where many generations of young people gathered to dance and get acquainted. The building is now a popular restaurant known as the Red Bar.
Van helped organize Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative to bring power to South Walton in 1942 and served on their first board of directors. In the 1950s, he worked with C.H. McGee to get the first telephones in South Walton. He also built the first water system south of the bay in 1939. Over the years, he served his community in many roles.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at Point Washington Methodist Church, with the Revs. Tonya Elmore, Curtis Mixon and Harry Houseman officiating. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be held from 1:30-3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at Point Washington Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Van R. Butler Elementary School or Point Washington United Methodist Church.
Pallbearers for Mr. Van Ness Butler will be Aubrey Mullins, Albert Butler, Willis Kennedy, William Wardlow, Arnold Covell and Robert Infinger Sr. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be the Walton County Commissioners Randall Infinger, Herman Walker, Joel Paul and Gene Ryan; and Walton County Superintendent of Schools Jack Bludworth.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
