William Birdsong

William Bryant(Bill) Birdsong May 9, 1932 – July 18, 2011 William Bryant (Bill) Birdsong went home to be with the Lord on July 18, 2011 surrounded by his wife and two daughters. Bill was the sixth of seven children born in Double Head, Alabama, to Robert Grover and Amelia Inez Brown Birdsong on May 9, 1932. His farmer father died when Bill was three leaving his mother to rear the family. He accepted Christ as a teen and continued his Christian walk throughout the remainder of his life. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Milton. Bill graduated from Valley High School in Fairfax, Alabama, in 1951. It was there that his high school football coach led him to a life-long love of Alabama football. He entered the U. S. Navy after high school and after his honorable discharge, he went to work at Fairfax Textile Mill in Fairfax, Alabama. In 1964 he came to Milton, Florida, where he worked as a textile technician for American Cyanamid for thirty years. Bill began working with young athletes soon after arriving in Milton. Today, Bill is remembered by many as one of their first football and baseball coaches and as a man who helped to shape their character. One of his most cherished roles in life was being “Pawpaw” to his three grandchildren. He enjoyed cookouts and family vacations. Bill was an avid gardener and shared his produce with family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years, Lemerle Osborne Birdsong; two daughters and sons-in-law: Susan and Richard Coe of Pace and Sharon and Max Williams of Milton; three grandchildren who adored him: Katherine and William Coe of Pace and Bryant Williams of Milton; two sisters: Mary Jo (Pete) Phillips of Ft. Walton and Laverne Pike of Valley, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers (Robert, Jr., Raymond, and Ledford Birdsong), and one sister (Lena Mae Burt). Pallbearers are Larry Welch, Clayton Fullerton, O. A. Winkles, Ike Northrop, Joe Barnes, Ed Peacher. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Men’s Ministry of First Baptist Church and the “coffee drinkers” of McDonald’s Restaurant. The family wishes to thank Dr. Videau and Dr. Humeda of Sacred Heart Hospital for dedicated and loving care over many years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Men’s Ministry of First Baptist Church, Milton. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:00 on Thursday, July 21, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Milton. The Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 at the church with Dr. David Spencer officiating. Burial will follow at Serenity Gardens, Milton. Lewis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.