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William Elston Obituary
area businessman died Sunday, June 21, 2015 after a long illness with ALS, at age 74.
Born on September 1 1940, in Louisville, the son of Woodrow and Margaret, Bill had three brothers and a sister, he frequently enjoyed the company of brothers Tom, John and sister Peggy. Bill grew up in Louisville attending St. X High School graduating in 1958. He moved on from there to the University of Louisville graduating with a degree in chemistry.
He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, the former Marilyn Wood. He was father to four sons, Gordon, (Krista), Greg, (Kyla), Jon and Matthew, (Robin), and daughter Beth, along with nine grandchildren. Also, he leaves behind two special angels, Jen and Lisa, who were his caregivers.
He was preceded in death by his parents Woodrow and Margaret, and a brother Robert.
Bill took his chemistry degree and started as a lab technician with Colgate in 1962. He quickly moved on to the Pillsbury Company where he climbed the ladder. He left there to go to work for Frito-Lay Inc. rising to Senior Vice-President of Operations leading the company operations during a tremendous period of growth. He moved to the Jacksonville area in 1990 to become the president of GATX, he left for a brief stint with the Steelcase Co. But returned to Jacksonville and worked independently as a recruiter, which he did for several years. Then he became CEO of Clean Shower before retiring, but staying active as a member of the board with LandStar for 12 years. Bill received numerous awards over the years for business and community involvement, but he would never display or look for any recognition from those accomplishments.
Bill was an avid sportsman who loved to golf , hunt, water ski and was a crack Racquetball player. In golf, he scored several hole-in-one's. Including, one at the TPC, which is memorialized with a plaque in the clubhouse. He loved following the University of Louisville sports teams and had a special fondness for corvettes, owning many over the years. He was an avid stamp collector. He traveled extensively with Marilyn by his side and was very active supporting his grand children at their events. He enjoyed the company of friends and had a wide professional network of associates he interacted with on a regular basis.
He will be remembered at a visitation and showing at Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL., Thursday from 5-8 p.m.. A Catholic Mass will be observed the following day, Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church, with interment to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery. Please share your memories and condolences at www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Elston
Dan Brumback
July 12, 2015
My condolences on your loss. I worked with Bill as part of his Frito-Lay team in Dallas, TX. He was an inspiring leader and put together a great team that took Frito-Lay operations to levels of quality and production that were second to none. Bill always challenged us to strive for additional achievement and never to get complacent. At the same time he was a man who displayed no ego or pretention. I am a better person, businessman and leader for my time with Bill. God Bless!- Dan Brumback
Paul and Shelah Zmigrosky
June 27, 2015
I worked in Bill's organization at Frito Lay and knew him for many years. Bill was an outstanding leader. results driven but with a people passion, Our condolences to the Elston family
Carol Wood
June 26, 2015
Sending my sincere sympathy to Marilyn and the entire family. I always remember Bill at the Wood gatherings...with a big smile.. my heart breaks for you...Bill was a wonderful person and certainly led a full and wonderful life with you by his side....take care..love...Carol Wood
Jack Kennedy
June 25, 2015
Marilyn and Family,
Condolences on your loss, our loss.
I remember Bill as a boss, mentor and friend. I remember the fun also.
Travel will Bill was always a trip (sic). On one trip Bill and I played gin rummy through two flights from Detroit to Alabama. After a corporate dinner and a poker game lasting until 2:00 AM, Bill insisted we complete the gin game put on hold upon landing earlier in the (now previous) day. Bill never slept on the first night of a business trip and was willing to share his insomnia with this traveling companions.
Always competitive, always fun. A great friend.
Andi and Michael SImpson
June 25, 2015
Dear Elston Family,
Prayers of peace are with you as you honor Bill. He was a great man so worthy of our praise. He fought a gallant fight against ALS but God has called him home. Marilyn, your love and devotion is unsurpassed by none. You will meet again one day and basks in the Lord's love and mercy together. Peace and love be with you.
June 25, 2015
Bill was an honorable man, great business leader, loving family man and competitive athlete. He was influential in the lives of many people and will be missed greatly. To the Elston family, Janet and offer our deepest sympathy.
Joe Nicosia
June 25, 2015
Bill was a gentleman and a gentle man. He was a fine person, a great husband, and father. Mr. Bill also had a wonderful sense of humor and was a person of which his friends could be
proud. Rest in peace, Mr. Bill. May angels guard you always.
Barbara and Robert Nordstrom
Sherwood, Oregon
Frank Rovelli
June 25, 2015
When Bill was Sr VP for Frito-Lay there was another outstanding leader in Dallas. He was Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys. Both Bill and Tom had some common traits. They both had outstanding levels of achievement, unquestionable Integrity and genuine respect for all persons regardless of position. There has to be a special place in Heaven for leaders of this caliber. God Bless Bill as he was Frito-Lay's Tom Landry.
joan Grove
June 25, 2015
Marilyn and children,
Bill was a kind, intelligent and respected man. He was never anything but pleasant when I was in his company. He loved you so much, and it was so apparent. Love, Joanie, Wayne, and Tony
June 25, 2015
I first met Bill when he came to the Allen Park (Frito Lay) plant from Pillsbury. He became a good friend and a great mentor and leader. He brought out the best of everyone. Later he helped me find talent when he was an executive recruiter and always was available for advice and help. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn and the family. Pete Carrothers
Steve Johnson
June 24, 2015
Bill was a truly outstanding leader. He demanded performance but was also one of the most compassionate and understanding executives. Bill always had a quick smile and easy personality that made working with him a real pleasure and rewarding experience. My condolences to the Elston family.
Susan Clements
June 24, 2015
Marilyn and family -
We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was a remarkable man and we were fortunate to have him in our little Wood family.
Fred Kuglin
June 24, 2015
Bill was a wonderful man and a great executive who touched the lives of many. He was an excellent leader who truly cared for people who worked for him. Most of all, he made it known that he loved his family. We will all miss him.
Ron Justice
June 24, 2015
Bill was an inspiring leader that I had the privilege to work with a Frito Lay for several years. As I moved on in my career, Bill became the standard I used for judging others at that level. He was a great communicator with an infectious personality that will be missed.
Lyle Mueller
June 24, 2015
Marilyn and family,
Bill was my boss, mentor, and friend at Frito Lay and someone I always looked up to and admired. I am so sorry for your loss and will remember you in my prayers
Mark & Susan Norris
June 24, 2015
Marilyn and family,
Please accept our very heartfelt sympathies for your loss of Bill. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Ron Brown
June 24, 2015
In 1986 i walked into Bill's office at Frito-Lay. His grace, leadership and yes his love for Corvettes was a thrill for a young manager and truly a blessing in my career. Celebrate us life as he always did, he will be missed.
June 24, 2015
Bill was a great guy. We enjoyed seeing him at the family reunions every year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends he will be missed very much.
Jen Ramsey
June 24, 2015
Mr. Bill, I will truly miss you. Caring for this amazing man these past three and a half years has been an honor. I watched a very strong man put up a great fight. I admire Mr. Bill for his strength through it all. He not only was my patient he was my friend. I will miss your "good afternoons" and our trips to Mcdonalds and our shows we watched together,I will miss you. My prayers are with Ms. Marilyn and family. Mr. Bill will be missed by many.
June 24, 2015
Bill was a wonderful person and leader. It was an honor to work for him and be mentored by him over the years. A wonderful man & friend.
Ed Kugler
June 23, 2015
Marilyn and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I worked for Bill in the Allen Park plant. Bill was a charismatic person who always challenged me to be my very best. He was very competitive. I always enjoyed watching Bernie and Bill banter back and forth. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Ed Gabos (Duluth, GA)
John Elston
June 23, 2015
Going to miss a really great big brother. Going to miss the golf and gambling junkets.
Ken Klicker
June 23, 2015
I worked with Bill at GATX and also played a lot of racquetball with him. When playing with Bill, you always knew you were in a match when you were finished. My sincere condolences go out to Marilyn and his family.
Ron Rittenmeyer
June 23, 2015
Bill was a great boss, mentor and friend whose compassion for others was always visible. He lived with a gusto that was engaging and infectious. His keen competitive spirit was ever present in his mannerisms making him someone that could lead large groups to discover their true capability. I was honored to know him and will alway remember him.
Drue Gindler
June 23, 2015
My memories of Papa Willie are few but fond when we would have large family gatherings. He was always so kind, funny, and truly invested in the lives of his family members. He was a great man who will be missed dearly.
Joe Elston
June 23, 2015
to Marilyn and kids and the entire Elston family, I'm sorry for the loss of Bill. Even though he was the oldest of the cousins, I always thought he was cool even when he thought I was a pest when we were at family gathering when I was growing up. I'll always remember the picnics at "Jakes Place"
Julie Betzler
June 23, 2015
Marilyn and family,
Bill was a special person he loved his wife, children, grandchildren and to laugh, his family meant the world to him. The trips we took to Vegas, Lake Isabella were great times. He will be missed but his smile will always be with us and his memory in our hearts. Will miss you, Billy.
Bob Livingston
June 23, 2015
Bill was a great friend. Between about 1992 and 2002, we played a lot of racquetball.
Bill was also a client of ours. He was one of the most astute businessman ever! I learned a lot about business and life from Bill.
Certainly,he leaves great memories with a tremendous number of people.
All of my thoughts are with his family as you remember one fine gentleman!
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
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5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens - Jacksonville Beach1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
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Beaches Chapel by Hardage-Giddens - Jacksonville Beach1701 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
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