William Jefferson Gay, Sr.

William Jefferson “Bill” Gay, Sr. age 77 of Pensacola met his maker on January 20, 2017. He was unable to recover from a stroke which happened in December of 2015. Bill held on to life until after the inauguration of President Trump. Assured that his beloved America would be in better hands, he went peacefully. Bill entered this world on April 17, 1939 in Panama City. His parents were Leslie C. “LC” and Cornelia “Bessie” E. Gay. He had two half-sisters Joy Lisi of Holiday, FL and Laura Herrington of Pensacola. Bill had a prolonged illness as a child and for a year Bill read anything he could get his hands on, including the encyclopedia and medical textbooks. This accounted for his belief that he knew everything. His first grade teacher didn’t help when she told him that he was so smart that he’d never need to learn spelling as he’d have a secretary to proof-read anything he would ever write. Bill attended high school in Pensacola and got up to all kinds of high-jinx. He married the sister of his best friend, Sara Elizabeth Mattson on November 26, 1960. Newly wed, Bill hauled ice, delivered coffee, pumped gas and took Sara to New York to cut cat-tails. Bill was a police officer for a time, then attended college classes to become better able to provide for his family. Prior to his retirement, Bill was a respected machinist at Westinghouse Nuclear Components Division in Pensacola. In his later years, Bill felt a calling to minister to those who had no place to live. He helped many men, women, and families by allowing them to live in his home while they saved enough to take the next step in their journey. Bill was met at the Pearly Gates by his wife of 49 years, Sara Elizabeth; his son, William Jefferson “Buddy” Gay, Jr.; his parents, Bessie and LC Gay; his sister, Laura Herrington; his nephew, James Herrington; and his brothers-in-law, Earl Herrington, James and John Mattson, and Albert Lisi joined his welcome home party. Bill is survived by his daughter, Rebecca E. Epley of Pensacola; son-in-law, Alan R. Epley of Pensacola; daughter-in-law, Susan A. Gay of Pace; his two grandsons, Ervin N. Epley of Pensacola and Nicholas Gay and his wife Cindy of Milton; his niece, Mary E. Herrington of Pensacola, sister-in-law, Mary Mattson of Atmore, AL; and brother-in-law, Donald Mattson of Pensacola. Bill also leaves a beloved fiancée, Mary Jane Callison of Milton. There are many friends with whom he shared his home, wisdom, and joy of life who remain here on Earth. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Pastor Ken Griffin officiating. Interment to follow in Whitmire Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Ervin Epley, Nick Gay, Perry Sixma, Craig Dugger, Bob Mickelson, and J.D. Griffin. Roger Mattson will serve as the honorary pallbearer. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy., is entrusted with arrangements. You may send condolences to the family at www.fcfhs.com

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William Jefferson Gay, Sr.

April 17, 1939 - January 20, 2017