William V. McNeir Jr.
William V. "Bill" McNeir Jr. passed away Sunday, July 15, 2001, after an extended illness.
Bill was born to William Vincent and Nelly Martina McNeir of Pensacola, Fla., on April 10, 1925.
Bill was a 1950 graduate of Florida State University and a lifelong area resident who enjoyed sailing, woodworking, Florida State football and flying. Bill was a member of Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, and St. Peters Catholic Church. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and served as Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Florida.
He was a long-term employee of Sears and after retirement worked part-time at Sam's Club. Bill was the loving father of six children, who were his pride and joy in life.
His parents, along with his sisters, Margie Doyle and Lennell Doyle, preceded Bill in death. Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Bouchillon McNeir of Mary Esther, Fla.; daughters, Ann Yager and husband Gene of Summerville, S.C., Pat Dunkle and husband Jerry of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Lisa McNeir and husband Frank McGehee of Little Rock, and Kelly Langley and husband Mike of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; sons, William McNeir III of Mary Esther, and Michael McNeir of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Dustin Yagar, William Harsch, Valerie Reaves, Brittany and Taylor McNeir, Sophie McGehee, Morgan and Kendall Langley; and great-grandchildren, Hillary and Jake Reaves, and Milo McGehee.
Visitation will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at McLaughlin Mortuary. A memorial service will follow at 6 p.m., followed by continued visitation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society; or to St. Peters Catholic Church Building Fund.
McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Ave., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.
Shirley Rose Heggins
Shirley Rose Heggins, age 71, of Navarre, Fla., passed away Saturday, July 14, 2001, due to a recent illness.
Mrs. Heggins was born on Feb. 20, 1930, in Lawrence, Miss., relocating to Holley-Navarre in 1966 with her husband and children. She was a devout Christian who loved her Lord. Her charity never ended. A loyal friend and companion, she could touch the hearts of others when no one else could.
Her children were her heart and her grandchildren her soul. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bilbo Heggins I; son, Davis Heggins; sisters, Doris Lambert and Johnnie Ruth Miller; and a granddaughter.
Survivors include two brothers, Edwin (Peck) Ervin, and Shelby (Shay) Ervin; children, Judith Reier, Billey Anderson, Tammy Phillip, Bilbo Heggins II, Tracy Clough, Nan Kahren and Lisa Wells. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Lewis Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Billory Baptist Church, with interment in Harper Cemetery.
Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Vita M. Ruzich
Vita M. Ruzich died July 15, 2001, exactly one week before her 74th birthday from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease.
Born in Chicago to Fred and Minnie Bernichio on July 22, 1927, Vita was a very beautiful and active lady. She was a lifetime member and past president of the Elkettes of Fort Walton Beach Lodge 1795. Vita worked tirelessly for many years on many committees raising funds for various charities.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Anna.
Vita is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, George Ruzich of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; daughters and their husbands, Frances Marie and Jim Busi of Acworth, Ga., Vita Ann and Michael Domenicali of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Brian Busi, Michael Domenicali Jr., Dayna Domenicali and Aaron Domenicali; two brothers and their wives, Anthony and Mary Bernichio of Howe, Ind., and Frederick and Dorothy Bernichio of Chicago.
A funeral service will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, conducted by Elkettes of Fort Walton Beach Lodge 1795.
Interment will be private.
A visitation will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may contribute to the Florida Elks Therapy Service, P.O. Box 49, Umatilla, Fla., in Vita's memory.
Arrangements under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
Sidney Schulder
Sidney Schulder, age 84, retired major, U.S. Marine Corps and Fort Walton Beach, Fla., resident since 1951, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2001, in Niceville, Fla.
He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and then went on to earn his masters in business at Florida State University. He was employed as an engineer at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., from 1951 until his retirement in 1974.
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Katherine Schulder of Fort Walton Beach; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Charles Brown of Waco, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Frank Schulder and Katy Ahearn of Chicago; grandchildren, Charles Brown and Katie Brown; sister, Betty Gordon of Madison, Wisc.; and his niece, Sheila Bashara of Destin, Fla.
Graveside service, with military honors, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 19, in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Emerald Coast Funeral Home.
Arrangements under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
Franklin Greer Jones
Command Chief Master Sgt. Franklin Greer Jones, U.S. Air Force retired, passed away July 18, 2001, in the arms of his loving wife at his home in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., on Sept. 11, 1941, Frank was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. His laughter and sense of humor brought joy to everyone whose life he touched.
Frank had become director of Teresa Village Enlisted Widows Home Foundation on July 1, 1998, and Director of Logistics at the Enlisted Foundation Headquarters as of March 2000, after serving over 30 years in the military. Some of the retired chief master sergeant's assignments were at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Korat RTAB, Thailand; CCK AB, Taiwan; Langley AFB, Va.; Dover AFB, Dela.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Scott AFB, Ill.; and two assignments to Hurlburt Field.
His awards and decorations include the Airman's Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with device, Air Medal with three devices, AF Commendation Medal with two devices, AF Outstanding Unit Award with one device, AF Organizational Excellence Award, Combat Readiness Medal, and AF Good Conduct Medal.
For most of his military career, Frank was a flight engineer on C-124, C-121, C-123, C-130, C-141 and C-5 aircraft. He had more than 8,000 flying hours. When he retired in 1992, he was the senior enlisted advisor at the 834th Air Base Wing, Hurlburt Field.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Louise Jones of Fort Walton Beach. Also surviving is his brother, Luther Jones of Madison, Wisc.; sisters, Myrtle Sanford of Bainbridge, Ga., Polly Whitehead of Aliquippa, Pa., and Doris Bell of DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; daughters, Sonja Jones and fianc� David Byrne of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Michelle Potpan and husband John of Fort Walton Beach; stepchildren, Lino Maldonado Jr. and wife Vicki of Crestview, Fla., Cindi Ward and husband Mike of Grand Rapids, Mich.; seven grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind James Draughn and Richard Young, both of Fort Walton Beach, who served in the military with Frank and have been loyal friends and lifelong companions.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Vonnie Jones; and brother, Ralph Jones.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 20.
Funeral services will be held at Delores Hope All Faiths Chapel at Bob Hope Village in Shalimar at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21, with interment in Beal Memorial Cemetery.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578. Emerald Coast Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Lee A. McNeill
Lee A. "Shorty" McNeill, age 94, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Monday, July 16, 2001, at a local hospital.
He was a native of Alliance, Fla., and lived in Panama City for 59 years. Mr. McNeill was a retired carpenter and a member of Hiland Park Baptist Church, where he attended the Adult Mens Sunday School Class. During World War II, Mr. McNeill was a welding supervisor at Wainwright Shipyard.
He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Annie Bell F. McNeill of Panama City; daughter, Joe Ann Petty and husband Tom of Mossy Head, Fla.; grandsons, Thomas Lee Petty and wife Penny of Mount Airy, Ga., Charles David Petty of Freeport, Fla., and Michael Clarendon Petty of Fort Walton Beach; and great-granddaughters, Kathleen Petty, Rachel Petty and Victoria Randle.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Pickerill officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 20.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Panama City, is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Theodore Howland
Lt. Col. Walter Theodore Howland, retired, of Bluewater Bay, Fla., passed away July 15, 2001, at the age of 56.
He was born in New York City on Aug. 19, 1944.
Lt. Col. Howland began his career in the U.S. Air Force as an airman basic in 1962. He went on to graduate from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1969. During his 27 years of active duty he was stationed all over the world. Lt. Col. Howland served in Vietnam and Desert Shield/Storm. Among the decorations he received while on active duty were the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
While stationed in Germany, Walt and his family were regular participants in community volksmarches and enjoyed the beautiful countryside. They also traveled extensively throughout Europe.
Anyone who knew Walt will remember his love of reading and his passion for a big, big serving of good ice cream.
Lt. Col. Howland is survived by his wife of 32 years, Maxine; and his two children, Kara of New York City, and Adam (House) of Destin, Fla.; mother, Jennie Sanchez; and his brother, James Howland of Puerto Rico; and many relatives. He was loved and will be greatly missed.
Memorial and interment will follow at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
C W Ham
C W Ham, age 66, passed away unexpectedly July 16, 2001.
He was a devoted member of Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church of Niceville.
C W was born in Malone, Fla., where he graduated from high school. He went on to attend Chipola Junior College on a basketball scholarship when he met and fell in love with his devoted wife of 44 years, Mary Ann. After serving 22 distinguished years in the U.S. Air Force, he retired as a chief master sergeant and made Niceville his home.
He went on to work as a civilian employee for several years at Site C-6 and retired from there in December 2000. Of all his accomplishments, C W was most proud of and grateful for his family. We will miss him immensely.
He was the very best husband, father, grandfather and friend, and those who knew him will always cherish his memory. C W enjoyed life and Florida State football games. He strived to see the good in everyone. Nothing made him happier than get togethers with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; one son, Mark and his wife Debbie Ham of Choctaw Beach, Fla.; daughters, Denise and husband Jimmy Himes of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Becky and husband Paul Sims of Valparaiso, Fla.; brothers, Hayes Ham of Malone, and George Dekle of Dothan, Ala.; sisters, Jean Huckaby of Gordon, Ala., and Mary Alice Beasley of Abbeville, Ala.; grandchildren, Alisha and Paul Sims Jr., Brandon Himes, Laura Anne and Andrew Ham; special friends, Reuben "Bubba" Manasco and Sonny Hughes; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Christ Our Redeemer Church will receive the body of C W Ham at 6 p.m. Thursday, followed by a prayer service, with visitation concluding at 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 20, at 10 a.m. at Christ Our Redeemer Church with Father Craig Williams officiating. Interment will take place in Heritage Gardens.
Donations in memory of C W Ham may be made to Christ Our Redeemer Building Fund, 1028 White Point Road, Niceville, FL 32578.
Arrangements under the direction of McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home in Niceville.
Randall Francis Counsman
Randall "Randy" Francis Counsman, age 82, passed away Monday, July 16, 2001, at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Fla., after a brief illness.
He was born on July 20, 1918, to Harry Ginter Counsman Jr. and Dorothea Dix Holliday, now deceased.
Randy was a resident of the Playground area for more than 45 years. He was a graduate of Omaha Technical High School in 1937. Randy retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1960 as a master sergeant stationed at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Randy was a longtime member of Fort Walton Yacht Club and a past member of their board. He was also a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors of Pensacola, Fla.; Florida Woodworkers Association; a charter member of TREA; and Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron, as well as past commander.
He is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Peggy L. Counsman of Shalimar, Fla.; daughter and son-in-law, Judith K. Counsman and Douglas A. Armstrong of Loveland, Ohio; son and daughter-in-law, Randall K. and Ada Counsman of Westfield, Mass.; daughter and son-in-law, Sharye K. and Duane Hardesty of New Orleans; son, James C. Anderson of Tampa, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons of Ohio, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and Tennessee; aunt, Marie Terry of Omaha, Neb.; and his devoted pet, Ele Ele of Shalimar.
He will be truly missed by his family and friends.
Mr. Counsman's remains will be cremated and a memorial will be held at Fort Walton Yacht Club at a later date to be announced.
The family requests, no flowers please.
Arrangements under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach.
Marion E. McKenna
Col. Marion E. McKenna, USAFR, retired, age 79, a resident of Niceville, Fla., passed away at her home Monday, July 16, 2001.
Born in Worcester, Mass., on April 20, 1922. Educational achievements include a diploma from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing; B.S. N.Ed., University of Pennsylvania; M.Ed. University of Florida; Ed.D. University of Florida; and S.Sc. (honorary) University of Louisville.
Her versatile nursing career included staff nurse in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps; educational director Florida State Board of Nursing, associate professor and assistant dean for graduate education, College of Nursing, University of Florida; professor and dean, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky; acting dean, School of Nursing, University of Louisville; professor and dean emeritus, College of Nursing, University of Kentucky.
Her distinguished military career includes USAFR N.C., mobilization assistant, chief nurse, Air Force Nurse Corps, 1972-1981; military consultant to U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, October 1977 to August 1981. She retired on Aug. 31, 1981, attaining the rank of colonel.
She was an appointed member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), Washington, D.C., from 1981-1983.
Organizational memberships include life member of both the Reserve Officers' Association and the Retired Officers' Association; president of the Society of Retired Air Force Nurses; past member, board of directors of the Retired Officers' Association; and past president, Scholarship Fund Board, TROA, 1994-1996.
She is listed in Who's Who in American Education and Who's Who of American Women; honored with the Certificate of Achievement in Nursing Administration, USAF Reserve; senior medical service consultant to the Surgeon General's Office, USAF Reserve; Legion of Merit, awarded through the U.S. Air Force; Marion E. McKenna Leadership Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Delta PSI Chapter, Lexington, Ky., 1985 (first recipient).
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Warren Jarvis of Milton, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, July 20, at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville. Burial, with military honors, will follow at 2 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola Naval Air Station.
The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, prior to the Mass. There will be a recitation of the rosary at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, those friends who wish may contribute to the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing, Marion E. McKenna Fund, c/o Dean Carolyn A. Williams, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, 315 CON/HSLC Building, Lexington, KY 40506, in Miss McKenna's memory.
Arrangements under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Fort Walton Beach.
Alice Lee Jones
Alice Lee Jones, age 73, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2001, in a Pensacola, Fla., hospital.
Mrs. Jones was born in Tarrant City, Ala., and moved to this area in 1960, where she resided for 41 years. She retired from the Okaloosa County school system; was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church; and was a hospital volunteer at North Okaloosa Medical Center.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Harvey Jones of Crestview, Fla.; son, Gordon Jones of Crestview; daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Riley McDonald, and Pat and Robert Brooks, all of Crestview; brothers, Ray Moore of South Carolina, and Dewey Moore of Louisville, Ky.; sisters, Maxine Elliot of Clarksville, Ind., Louise Newman and Janice Forest, both of Louisville, and Marie Barber of Jefferson, Ind.; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A time of visitation will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, July 20, at Whitehurst Funeral Home with the Rev. Tommy Batson officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Crestview.
Whitehurst Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ethel S. Hamilton
Ethel S. Hamilton, age 88, a lifelong resident of Walton County, Fla., passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2001, at her residence.
She was born on Jan. 12, 1913, the daughter of the late Ocie and Beadie Courtney Starnes. She was a member of First Assembly of God Church of DeFuniak Springs, Fla., for 40 years. She was known for enjoying church and went as long as her health allowed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fate Hamilton; son, Robert Hamilton; and grandson, Rudy Hamilton.
Survivors include her son, Rudolph Hamilton; daughters, Iva Jean Brewer and husband Steve of DeFuniak Springs, Blondell Norton and husband Lin of Villa Rica, Ga.; sister, Jean Spencer of DeFuniak Springs; grandchildren, Gary Hamilton and Jerry Hamilton of DeFuniak Springs, Itheria Williams of Milton, Fla., Barbara King of Ponce de Leon, Fla., JoAnn Smith of DeFuniak Springs, Angie Henry of Douglasville, Ga., and Jason Norton of Villa Rica; several great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Revs. Jeff Cain and Ernest Raley officiating. Burial will follow in Cluster Springs Cemetery.
Clary-Godwin Funeral Home, DeFuniak Springs, is in charge of arrangements.
Ellen Elaine Galland
Ellen Elaine Galland, age 60, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away July 18, 2001.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Lewis Funeral Home, Navarre Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
