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William VanLandingham Obituary
William (Bill) Willits VanLandingham, 72, passed away Friday, September 13, 2013, in Tallahassee. He will be always remembered for his positive attitude and smile.
A memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, Sept 21 at Four Oaks Community Church with visitation after the service. The private interment will be at Roselawn Cemetery.
Born February 4, 1941 in Palm Beach County, Fl, Bill grew up in Belle Glade, the son of a farmer and cattleman. He was a 41-year resident of Tallahassee.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy, received his engineering degree from Tennessee Tech University, and worked for TI in Dallas, TX, for Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Fl and the State of Florida in Tallahassee, before establishing VanLandingham Construction in 1976.
Bill was a FL general contractor, real estate broker, member of Tallahassee Homebuilders, FHBA, and NAHB member, and served on local Code Enforcement Boards.
Bill was a devoted loving husband, father, grandfather and great friend to all who never ran out of smiles. He was a Master Gardener and excellent fisherman who always came home with cooler full of fish or a good story. He was an avid golfer and will be missed by his many golfing friends. He also delighted in the Sugarloaf Mountain, NC cabin passed down from his parents.
He was preceded in death by his father Ernest Mims, mother Edith Willits, and brother Robert E. VanLandingham.
He is survived by wife Gwen of 46 years, one son Lewis (Debi) and grandchildren James, Joy, Jessica, Julia, Jordan, and Jane of Westerville, OH, daughter Angie Harris and grandsons Arrow and Stone of Tallahassee, sister Sue VanLandingham of Walled Lake, MI, brother Gary VanLandingham (Tee) of Trinity, NC, sister- and brother-in-law Gloria and Johnny Sutton of Chattanooga, TN, sister-in-law Libby VanLandingham of Plantation, Fl, nieces, nephews, and his beloved dog Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support Centenary Camp, 371 Centenary Camp Rd, Quincy Fl 32352 or Chaires United Methodist Church, 9243 Parkhill Road, Tallahassee, FL 32317.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William VanLandingham
Frances Fontaine-Bourque
September 13, 2014
Hard to believe a year has passed. I miss him still. Love to Gwen and the family. Frances
Pete Taylor
October 8, 2013
We only just now learned of Bill's passing. He was a good friend and good neighbor. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Gwen and the rest of the family.
---Pete Taylor and family
Ron Geckler
September 23, 2013
I remember Bill from our time in school together. He was a real great guy and a very good and enthusiastic bass drum player.
Janice Hogenmuller
September 23, 2013
Bill really did always have a big smile on his face and a good story to tell. John and I are saddened by his death, and will always remember him fondly.
Mike Colgate
September 22, 2013
Many fond memories of growing up with Bill.
William E (billy) Carter
September 22, 2013
Gwen, I was just totally shocked when I hear of Bill's passing today. Please accept my condolence and sympsthy for your loss.
Bill and I not only graduated from Belle Glade High together, we were also stationed in Newfoundland at the same time during service to our nation.
He was in the US Navy on the DEW Line and I in the USAF at Earnest Harmon AF base. We were able to get together once while we were in Newfoundland. We kinda loss track of each other after that but reconnected through Classmates not too long ago.
I know Bills heart and I know he is with our lord and savior. Be comforted in knowing this.
Sinerely,
Sandi Bishop
September 22, 2013
Billl was a wonderful man. God bless the whole family.
Linda Wilder
September 22, 2013
Gwen, so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Bill and I grew up in the same class and neighborhood in Belle Glade. He was a very funny guy and liked by all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family. I know he will be greatly missed.
Frances Fontaine-Bourque
September 22, 2013
To all who loved Bill,
I was born one day before Bill and we never failed thinking or calling each other to wish each other Happy Birthday. We grew up in the same neighborhood in Belle Glade. Our parents were good friends and for a time we lived right next door. We weathered the 1948 hurricane down the street in Bill's cousin Carol Neal's home and thought we were on a great adventure! When I was four Bill and Billy Tom Forsee tried to teach me how to ride a bike. I fell off, split my head open , and with blood streaming down my face, he kissed it and said I'd be OK. I fell in love with him then and think I never stopped. I still have the scar and it puts a smile on my face today when I see it. He was funny, kind, thoughtful, smart and engaging. You knew he was in the room! He was a happy, fulfilled and proud husband,father,grandfather and friend On our annual calls, he beamed when he spoke of Gwen, Lewis and Angie. And told the successes of his grandchildren. All of our classmates in Belle Glade formed a bond many years ago that has gone unbroken.For many of us "Bill has left the building", but we also know he is in His Father's Mansion. My thoughts and prayers go to all who will miss his twinkling eyes and smiling face. God Bless you, Bill.
Larry and Beverly Cliett
September 21, 2013
Bill was truly a good man and friend who will be missed greatly. God bless you Gwen, Angie, Lewis and family.
Kathy Reeves
September 20, 2013
Praying for you and your family. My mother Lyndale worked for your family for years and we were very sorry to hear about Mr. Bill. We truly love you guys and think of you often.
Juliana Sutton
September 19, 2013
Dear Gwen, Louis, & Angie, My thoughts and prayers are with you. Uncle Bill was a most remarkable person. I wish I could be there in person.
Much love, Juliana
Layna Kirkham
September 19, 2013
My heart sank when I read the obituary of Mr. Vanlandingham. When I was younger, I used to go to work with my Dad, work at his office in the summer as I got older, then I had the pleasure of working with him in my adult hood. What a great man, that will be missed by many! Layna Peacock Kirkham (Butch Peacock's daughter)
Tara Harmon
September 18, 2013
Dear Angie and family,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all right now. Though I never met your dad I have read what a great man he was and knowing what an amazing daughter he raised I can only imagine how much he loved his family. Though I am sport that you all will not see your dad for a time, I hope you are all comforted knowing Who welcomed him into Heaven.
Carlos and Helen Sloan
September 18, 2013
Our condolences to all. My brother, Carlos Sloan, was a classmate of Bill's at Belle Glade High School. May God give you all peace during this difficult time.
September 18, 2013
Gwen...Gary and I were so very sorry to hear about Bill. He was such a sweet person and always smiling...he will be missed. You and your family are in our prayers.
Mary and Gary Gast
September 18, 2013
Gwen, Remembering our TBA days, Bill was one of my favorites...always smiling. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Cathie(Johnson)Pedersen
Dave & Martha Dryden
September 18, 2013
May God bless you during this time of loss with comfort, strength, and courage.
Bobby Bacon
September 18, 2013
All of us here at the Earl Bacon Agency mourn the passing of our long-time client and friend, Bill VanLandingham. Bill and his wife have been longtime customers of ours and we were honored to serve as the agent for Bill's commercial insurance when he was in the construction business. Bill was always a jovial and upright person who was a pleasure to be around. During the depth of the financial crisis in 2009, he was instrumental in saving my sister's house from foreclosure. A less ethical person would have been in a position to profit handsomely from the arrangement that was worked out. Bill not only did this as a favor to my father and our family, he refused to accept any compensation for his generous actions. My sister often referred to Bill as "my hero." If everyone lived their life the way Bill did, we'd have very few problems in this world. His family will be in our prayers.
Diane Williamson
September 18, 2013
Gwen this is Diane Joe's daughter you meet me at the hospital. i am so sorry to hear about bill passing if there is anything i can do i will leave my e-mail it is [email protected] let me know if i can do anything please.
Karen Barnett
September 18, 2013
Gary, Sue and families, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother, Bill. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
September 18, 2013
So sorry to learn of Bill's passing. In the 20 plus years of knowing him through his being a customer at capital city lumber company he was always courteous, professional, and a pleasure to serve. He was a friend and will be missed. From all of us at capital city, our deepest sympathy.
Neal Porter, GM
Sherry Barnes
September 18, 2013
Bill was a dear friend during our childhood and years in Belle Glade. He was a funny guy and liked by all. My sympathies go to his family - I know he will be missed.
Richard Poston
September 18, 2013
When my family first moved to Belle Glade, Bill's family lived just down the street. We were in high school together. He was always witty and a very positive person. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.
September 18, 2013
Bill was a true friend and gentleman . Johnny & Ouida Gilliam
larry steele
September 18, 2013
so sorry for your loss, he will always be with you
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