SHEILA MARGARET WALKER
Mrs. Sheila Margaret Walker, 74, of 107 N. Cove Lane, died Sunday morning in a local nursing home. She had been a resident of Panama City for the past 20 years after moving here from Bonifay. She was a Realtor at Mulholland Realty and also in Bonifay and developed the Dogwood Lakes Estates in Bonifay with her late husband, Charles Wesley Walker. She is survived by son, Anthony Michael Walker and his wife, Dianna, of Clewiston, Fla.; daughter, Phillipa Kay and her husband, Steve Bottoms, of Panama City; four grandchildren: Justin and Emily Bottoms, and London and Britain Walker; two step-grandchildren, Christy and Morgan Pierce. Memorial will be by cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, P.O. Box 15554, Panama City, FL 32406.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
RUSSELL J. WILLIS
Chief Master Sgt. Russell John Willis, 63, of Mary Esther, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2000. Mr. Willis was born March 5, 1937, in Lowell, Mass., to Agnes Theresa Willis and the late Joseph Robert. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1986 and was last stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City. Mr. Willis is preceded in death by his father, brother, Jimmy Willis, and sister, Alice Willis. He is survived by his wife, Beth Willis of Mary Esther; mother, Agnes Willis of Lowell, Mass.; daughters, Debie Wardlaw and husband, Jim, of Mandeville, La., Teri Fite and husband, Vance, of Atlanta, Ga., Judy Price and husband, Bruce, of Choctaw Beach, Fla., Kim Ovalle of Niceville, Fla., Patty Holley and husband, Gerome, of Ebro, Fla., Vanessa Willis of Panama City; son, Mark Willis and wife, Misty, of Shreveport, La.; brothers: Joseph, Eddie, Hugh, Michael and Jimmy Willis; sisters: Ann Willis, Mary Overon and Alyce Lytle; and 16 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will follow in Beal Memorial Cemetery
with full military honors. The family will greet friends at the funeral home today, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. 32547
JERRY AMBERSON
Jerry Amberson, 51, of Fountain, Fla., died Sunday, March 5, 2000 in a local hospital. He had been a resident of Bay County for 14 years moving here from Alabama. He was a retired heavy machine operator. He is survived by three sons, Jerry Wayne Amberson and his wife, Sherry of Westover, Ala., Jeffrey Amberson, Larry Amberson; daughter, Tammy Kennedy and her husband, Curtis; grandson, Joshua Kennedy; four granddaughters: Jessica Kennedy, Tosha Kennedy all of Fountain, Fla., Autumn and Caitlyn Amberson of Westover, Ala.; brother, Jack Amberson and four sisters, Juanita Rhodes, Eleanor Clinkscales, Geneva Hicks and Louise Miskelley all of Alabama. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorialization will be by cremation. The family will be at the home of Curtis and Tammy Kennedy.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
RAYMOND A. BATES
Mr. Raymond A. Bates, 74, of West Bay, Fla., died Monday morning, March 6, 2000 at his home. Born in Birmingham, Ala., he moved here in 1982. He was a retired Panama City Beach motel owner and worked with his family-owned antique shop. He was also a member of West Bay Baptist Church and a charter member of Ensley Baptist Church in Birmingham. Mr. Bates was an avid antique car collector and was a member of Panama City Antique/Classic Car Club. He was a veteran of World War II serving as a captain with the Army Air Corps and was a navigator with the Flying Tigers. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, March 9, at 10 a.m. in Southerland Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be held in Birmingham. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. The family will be receiving flowers or in lieu of flowers you may make contributions to West Bay Baptist Church, 6513 Hickory Road, West Bay, 32413 in memory of Mr. Bates.
Southerland Family Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
WILLIE DEE CHESTNUT
Willie Dee Chestnut, 89, of Bonifay, Fla. died March 5, 2000 at Mariner Health of Bonifay. Funeral services will be today, March 7, at Poplar Head Baptist Church with the Rev. Ike Steverson officiating. Interment will follow at Poplar Head Church Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, Sonny and Buddy Chestnut, both of Bonifay; brother, Harry Martin of Bonifay; sister, Jessie Wells of Bonifay; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Chestnut; daughter, Phala Newsom and grandson, Tyler Chestnut.
Peel Funeral Home
Bonifay, Fla.
ROBERT PETER GINTER
Mr. Robert Peter Ginter, age 81, of Panama City, died Saturday, March 4, 2000. He was a native of Fort Madison, Iowa, and had lived in Panama City since 1956, moving here from Greenville, S.C. Mr. Ginter was retired after 30 years service in the U.S. Air Force, serving during World War II, Korea, and the Vietnam conflict. He was a former loan officer at Tyndall Federal Credit Union, and was a member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he served as A Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree and had been a State District Deputy. He is survived by his wife, Frances Ginter of Panama City; son, Peter Michael Ginter and wife Sandra of Birmingham; his daughter, Susan Frances Hurst and husband George of Panama City; grandchildren: George Hurst and wife Jan, Robert Hurst and wife Amy, Morgan Hurst, Amy Sue Hurst, Robert Ginter and Karen Ginter. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. today, March 7, at St. Dominic's Catholic Church with the Rev. Monsignor William A. Crowe officiating. A Rosary will be said at St. Domininc's Catholic Church at 9:30 a.m., a half hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society or to Catholic Charities in care of St. Dominic's Catholic Church.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
STEPHEN 'STEVE' WAYNE RIGDON
Mr. Stephen "Steve" Wayne Rigdon, age 49, of 1023 Canning Drive, Wewahitchka, Fla., died Sunday, March 5, 2000 at a local hospital. He had been a lifetime resident of the area and was Presbyterian by faith. Mr. Rigdon served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and also worked for the Coastal Systems Station. He was a member of the NRA and loved the outdoors. Mr. Rigdon is survived by his wife, Kathryn "Cathi" Rigdon of Wewahitchka; a daughter, Amy Ivey and her husband James of Allanton, Fla.; a son, William Rigdon of Allanton; his father, Cecil Rigdon of Callaway; a grandson, Kyle Ivey of Allanton; a granddaughter, Lacey Ivey of Allanton; a sister, Nanisa Owen and her husband Mike of Callaway; a brother, Ross Rigdon and his wife Sherry of Union, Miss.; nieces, Michelle Messick and Kaitlyn Rigdon, both of Panama City; and a nephew, Luke Owen of Callaway. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Rigdon. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Brian Johnston officiating. Interment will follow in Callaway Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home today, March 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla. 32405
SHEILA MARGARET WALKER
Mrs. Sheila Margaret Walker, 74, of 107 N. Cove Lane, died Sunday morning in a local nursing home. She had been a resident here for the past 20 years moving here from Bonifay, Fla. She was a Realtor at Muholland Realty and also in Bonifay, with her husband developing Dogwood Lakes Estates. She was the widow of the late Charles Leslie Walker. She is survived by a son, Anthony (Tony) Michael Walker and his wife Dianna of Clewiston, Fla.; a daughter, Philippa Kay and her husband Steve Bottoms of Panama City; four grandchildren: Justin and Emily Bottoms, London and Britton Walker; 2 step-grandchildren, Chris and Morgan Pearce. Memorialization will be by cremation. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimers Association in memory of Sheila Walker.
Wilson Funeral Home
Panama City, Fla.
GLADYS W. ANDERSON
Mrs. Gladys W. Anderson, 91, of Pensacola, died Monday, March 6, 2000. Mrs. Anderson was a native and lifelong resident of Pensacola. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, and the Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 253. She was also a member of Golden Ages and NARFE. Mrs. Anderson was preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. Anderson. Survivors include her daughters and son-in-law, Carolyn Gunter of Chipley, Dolores and Daniel Pare of Pace, Fla.; sister, Annie Orbre of Pensacola; brothers and sister-in-law, Joe C. Wilson, Calvin O. and Navada Wilson, all of Pensacola; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Hugh officiating. Burial will follow at Bayview Memorial Park. Visitation will be held 5 to 7 p.m. today, March 8, at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or memorial may be made to charity of your choice.
Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel
Pensacola, Fla 32504
RAYMOND A. BATES
Mr. Raymond A. Bates, 74, of West Bay, Fla., died Monday morning, March 6, 2000, at his home. He is survived by his wife, Leila "Lynn" Bates of West Bay; daughter, Cheryl Christian and husband Elliott; granddaughter, Jennifer Lee, all of the Chicago area; son, Raymond Allen Bates II; and grandsons, Raymond A. Bates III of Panama City and Ryan A. Bates of Virginia Beach, Va.; son, Wayne Bates and wife Linda of West Bay; son, Randy B. Bates and wife Rose and grandchildren: Randi Michelle, Nicole, Kevin and Charles of West Blocton, Ala.; grandson, Christopher D. Bates of Panama City Beach; godchild, Shawn Lawrence of West Bay. He was a retired Panama City Beach motel owner and worked with his family owned antique shop. He was also a member of West Bay Baptist Church and a charter member of Ensley Baptist Church in Birmingham. Mr. Bates was an avid antique car collector and was a member of Panama City Antique/Classic Car Club. He was a veteran of World War II serving as a captain with the Army Air Corps and was a navigator with the Flying Tigers. Funeral services will be conducted today, March 9, at 11 a.m. in Southerland Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Don Hutchins and the Rev. Gregory George officiating. Interment services will be held on Saturday, March 11, at 3 p.m. in Elmwood Cemetery
in Birmingham. The family will be receiving flowers or in lieu of flowers you may make contributions to West Bay Baptist Church, 6513 Hickory Road, West Bay, Fla., 32413 in memory of Mr. Bates.
Southerland Family Funeral Homes
Panama City, Fla. 32405
