WILLIAM CURTIS KENNEDY JR.
William Curtis Kennedy Jr., 77, of Panama City Beach, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, 2000, in a local hospital. He was a native of Birmingham, Ala. and has been living in Bay County since 1976. Mr. Kennedy was retired from Dun and Bradstreet after 28 years. He was a veteran of World War II and served as a gunner in the Army-Air Force. Curtis was a loving father, who always made sacrifices for those around him. He was a caring, ambitious man who changed the lives of many. He loved golf and fishing. In his own words, "I love and will always cherish my grandkids and hope they will excel to their greatest potential in life." He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and all that knew him. By the gift of God, may he always be by our side. Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Kennedy of Panama City Beach; a daughter, Pam Kennedy of Springfield, Mo.; three step-sons, Joe Graham and wife Daphne and family; Billy Graham and wife Lori and family; and Kenny Graham, all of Bay County; three step-daughters, Mary Joe Evans, husband Roger and family; Betty Anne Graham and family; and Doris Jean Mosley, husband Jimmy and family, all of Jonesboro, Alaska. The family has requested memorialization by cremation. There will be no services, but donations may be made in honor of Mr. Kennedy to the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.
Yorkshire Cremation and Casket Society
Panama City, Fla. 32405
AGNES McGEACHY BERGQUIST
Agnes McGeachy Bergquist, 96, passed away Dec. 15, 2000, in Harrowgate, Tenn. She was a native of Chipley, attended local schools and was a proud alumna of Florida State College for Women. Memorial services will be held in Union, Wash., at a later date.
WAYMAN A. 'BULL' CAYSON
Wayman A. "Bull" Cayson, Lt. Col. US Air Force, retired, age 83, died Monday in Calhoun Liberty Hospital, Blountstown, Fla. Mr. Cayson was a native of Blountstown. He was a retired cattle rancher, an educator and an active forester. Mr. Cayson served in World War II as a navigator for the 438th Troop Carriers. His missions included the Holland invasion and the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. He was called back to active service from the reserves for the Korean War and served as a lead navigator for the 307th Bomb Wing based in Okinawa, Japan. Mr. Cayson remained in the U.S. Air Force Reserves until his retirement. Mr. Cayson received his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in business administration and his master's degree from Florida State University in education administration. He and his family were members of Blountstown First United Methodist Church. Mr. Cayson was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Gaskin Cayson. His survivors include two daughters, Jane Cayson Wolf of Panama City and Barbara Cayson Sigman of Orlando; one brother, Gerald Cayson of Blountstown and one sister, Marcia Latham of Blountstown; four grandchildren, Dr. Samuel Brian Wolf of Fenton, Mich.; David Wayman Wolf of Tampa; Jeffrey Cayson Sigman of Seattle, Wash.; and Scott Spencer Sigman of Orlando; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Friday, at 1 p.m. CST at Blountstown First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Danny Arnold officiating. Interment followed in Nettle Ridge Cemetery
with full military honors at the graveside.
Adams Funeral Home
Blountstown, Fla. 32424
DANNY ALLEN SHIPES
Danny Allen Shipes, 47, of Quitman, Ga., died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000 at South Georgia Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Panama City, Fla., he was the son of Aubrey Arlon and Eunice Trimnel Shipes. He was a construction worker and a member of the Baptist Faith. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Lynn Shipes of Quitman; four daughters, Chrissy Vires of Ft. Bragg, N.C., Patricia Monk and Kasey Shipes, both of Quitman; Nichole Langreder of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Willey of Milsboro, Del., and JoAnn Baustert of Princeton, Texas. Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Maxwell-Miller Chapel with the Rev. Tom Kelly officiating. Interment will be today at the Porter Family Cemetery
on Blue Springs Rd. Bay County, Fla.
Maxwell-Miller Funeral Home Quitman, Ga.
PHILIMENA VETERE
Mrs. Philimena Vetere, 88, of Wewahitchka, Fla., passed away Thursday, Dec. 21, 2000, at her home. Her husband, Frank Vetera precedes her in death. Mrs. Vetere is survived by three daughters, Catherine Nemcick and husband Mickey of Edison, N.J.; Rose Vetere, Phyllis Shipman and husband Robert all of Wewahitchka; four sisters, Angie Foinseca and husband Tony of Columbus, N.J., Alice Pasquale of Elizabeth, N.J., Rose Carracino and husband Frank of Kenilworth, N.J. and Jenny Deltufo and husband Eddie of Easton, Penn.; two brothers, John Pasquale of Elizabeth, N.J. and Junior Pasquale; nine grandchildren, Joanne Turner, Linda Cotte, Ricky Doerfel, Donna Lively, Kathy Shipman, Carol Jones, Bobby Shipman, Michael Nemcicka nd Karen Shipman; fourteen great-grandchildren. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. in Jehu Cemetery
with the Rev. John Kramer officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
WILLIAM E. 'POPPA BILL' FREER
William E. "Poppa Bill" Freer, of Panama City, was called home Dec. 18, 2000. Mr. Freer was a third generation of Freer Contractors. He came to Bay County in 1967 from Walden, N.Y., where he continued the family building profession. Mr. Freer was a member of the Gulf Beach Baptist Church of Panama City Beach. He was one of the founders of Thomas Drive Fire Department in 1972, where he served as fire chief for 5 years. He was a member of the Masonic Pythagoras Lodge No. 358 and member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Mr. Freer served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was preceded in death three weeks ago by his beloved son, William F. (Billy) Freer and his great-grandson, Kenny Young in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Freer of Panama City; two daughters, Lynda Heikkinen of Panama City, Paula Cooper of Panama City Beach; two step-sons, Master Sgt. Carl Hilderbrand, U.S. Marines, of Hubert, N.C.; Steve Hilderbrand of Columbus, Ohio; three sisters, Thelma Bondur of Walden, N.Y.; Helen Schoch of Port Jervis, N.Y.; Marion Caccamo of Montgomery, N.Y.; one brother, George Freer of Dunnellon, Fla.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 26, 2000 at 3 p.m. in the Gulf Beach Baptist Church, 10620 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach, with the Rev. Gregory George officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. If you wish to honor his memory, you may do so by making a donation to the Shriner Childrens Transportation Fund, c/o Shaddai Temple, 1101 W. 19th St., Panama City, FL 32405.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
DORIS ELIZABETH ANCONETANI
Mrs. Doris Elizabeth Anconetani, 75, of 7312 Rodgers Drive in Panama City, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000, at a local nursing facility. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at St. Dominic's Catholic Church with Msgr. William Crowe officiating.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
SANDRA LEE FEIX
Mrs. Sandra Lee Feix, 47, of Panama City passed away Saturday Dec. 23, 2000 at a local hospital. Mrs. Feix was a native of Middletown, Ohio and had lived in Panama City since 1981. She was a financial analyst at Sallie Mae and was a Protestant by faith. Survivors include two sons, Sean Feix of Camden, Ohio and Carlton Chewning of Panama City; her mother, Elva Seals of Panama City; her father, James DeBord of Bonifay; a sister, Bonnie Taulbee of Gratis, Ohio; and a brother, Charles DeBord of Charlotte, N.C. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles Key officiating. Burial will be in Lebanon, Ohio at a date to be announced. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 25, 2000.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
EDWARD ROBERT FERGUSON JR.
Mr. Edward Robert Ferguson Jr., 84, of Panama City died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, in a local hospital. Born in Pueblo, Colo., he moved here in December 1970 from Flint, Mich. He was a retired artist and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Ferguson is survived by his wife Marguerite Ferguson of Lynn Haven; one stepson, William Richards of Michigan; stepdaughter, Joyce Babcock of Michigan; brother, Harry Ferguson of Pensacola. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at 10 a.m. in the Lynn Haven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hidle House Children's Home in memory of Mr. Ferguson.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
ROBERT C. JOHNSON
Mr. Robert C. Johnson, 85, of Panama City died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at his home. Born in Altha, Fla., he moved here in 1945 from Port St. Joe. He was a mechanic and security guard at International Paper Co. and a devoted Christian. He loved hunting and fishing, and played many other sports including baseball at Pelican's Park in the 1940s. His parents, John Simon Johnson and Annie Eliza Johnson preceded him in death. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline Johnson; one daughter, Dorothy Ann Robbins and husband, Richard N.; three granddaughters: Cynthia Peacock and husband, Brenton, Pamela Robbins and Leanne Lusk and her husband, Jon; two great-grandchildren, Debra Lusk and Lorena Peacock, all of Panama City. Graveside funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at 1:30 p.m. in Evergreen Memorial Gardens with Mr. Steve Southerland II officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be all retired paper company workers and his dear friend Dr. Daffin. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday before the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
MAGGIE VIRGINIA FLEMING WHITEHURST
Maggie Virginia Fleming Whitehurst, 81, of 803 Wood Ave., in Panama City died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, in her home. She was retired from the Naval Coastal Systems Station and Panama Machinery and Supply. She had been a resident of Panama City since 1935 after moving here from Mobile, Ala. She was a 1937 graduate of Bay High School and was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Panama City. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Forrest and Bessie Mitchell Fleming; her sisters, Inez Fleming Dailey and Aleene Fleming Hutchison; and her brothers, Sam Calhoun Fleming and Robert A. Fleming Sr. She is survived by her husband, Darrell Whitehurst; son, Forrest Fleming Whitehurst and his wife Carol Ann; daughter, Aleene Whitehurst Day and her husband Tommy, all of Panama City; five grandchildren: Susan Harrison and her husband William of Panama City, Terri Boone and her husband Jim of Allendale, S.C., Sallie Elizabeth Whitehurst, Forrest Fleming Whitehurst Jr., Kathryn Aleene Whitehurst, all of Panama City; three great-grandchildren: Cooper Harrison and Morgan Harrison, both of Panama City, and Ashley Boone of Allendale; two sisters, Mable Elizabeth Fleming Smith, and Joan Fleming Beumeler and her husband Wayne M., all of Panama City. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Doug Newton, the Rev. Rex Mixson, and the Rev. Craig Conner officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Those desiring to, may make a contribution to the Memorial Fund of First United Methodist Church in memory of Mrs. Whitehurst.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
HENRY CARL WILLIAMS
Mr. Henry Carl Williams, 75, of Panama City, passed away Sunday, Dec. 14, 2000, at his home. "A Friend to All Men," Mr. Williams was a native of Graceville and had lived in Panama City since 1943. He served his country in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a radar repairman. Mr. Williams then went to work at the Naval Coastal Systems Station in 1950 and worked until his retirement in 1980. He was then employed with Navy Contractors until 1989, and returned to civil service until 1995. Mr. Williams was of the Protestant faith and was an active square dancer since 1957 where he was affectionately known as Mr. Square Dance. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Patricia M. Williams of Panama City; two daughters, Debra W. Babcock and husband, Donald of Charlotte, N.C., and Peggy W. Bunch and husband, Aubrey of Panama City; his son Keith Williams and wife, Dawn of Marianna; a brother, Cecil Williams of Panama City; two sisters, Jewell Brock and Polly Jakubowski, both of Tallahassee; a sister-in-law, Norma Williams of Panama City; grandchildren: Jerald Pepper, Amy Lee, Nathan Babcock, Andrew Babcock, Andrew Henry Williams, Aaron Williams and Adam Williams. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Martie Williams, his brothers, George C. "Kenny" Williams and Frank "Snooks" Williams. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2000, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000. Asked to serve as active pallbearers are Jerry Allgood, Bob Unger, Baird Fortson, H. C. Reeder, Ervin Baker, Mitchell Freeman, Perry Ashe, Billy Cox, Bill Shields and John Sweet. Honorary pallbearers will be all local members of the Square and Round Dance Association.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32402
GEORGE MOYE 'MASSEY' COUNTS JR.
Mr. George Moye "Massey" Counts Jr., born Oct. 10, 1915, in Apalachicola, passed away on Dec. 23, 2000, at the age of 85. He was a lifelong resident of Apalachicola. Massey served as the City of Apalachicola chief of police from 1946 to 1952 and he was a former shrimp boat captain. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was Episcopalian by faith. He is survived by three sisters, Margaret Poitras of Winter Haven, Fla., Virginia McElveen of Arkansas and Gwen Counts of Winter Park, Fla.; one brother, William "Sonny" Counts of Port St. Joe; 15 nieces and nephews; two very special friends, George Wefing and Johnny Martina, both of Apalachicola; and so many other friends; two daughters, Georgette Counts and Terry Counts, both of Fort Lauderdale; and one grandson. A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 28, 2000, at 3 p.m. EST at Kelley Funeral Home in Apalachicola. Memorialization will be by cremation.
Kelley Funeral Home
Apalachicola, Fla. 32320
