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WILLIAM MENDENHALL Obituary
William Mendenhall, 3rd was born on April 20, 1925 to William and Helen Mendenhall in Williamsport, PA. He died at Haven Hospice in Gainesville on December 8, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan S. Mendenhall; sons William M. Mendenhall (Nancy) and Charles M. Mendenhall (Katherine); and granddaughters, Katie, Marisa, Elena, and Kristen.
Dr. Mendenhall served in the Navy in the Korean War and obtained a PhD in Statistics at North Carolina State University. He moved to Gainesville from Lewisburg, PA in 1963 and was the first Chairman of the Department of Statistics at the University of Florida. He authored or co-authored approximately 13 statistics textbooks and several books about his childhood.
Dr. Mendenhall was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. He was an avid tennis player and Gator fan. He will be missed!
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either the First Presbyterian Church; 300 S.W. 2nd Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601 or to Haven Hospice of North Central Florida; 4200 N.W. 39th Ave. Gainesville, FL 32605.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, December 11, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. W. Ave., Gainesville, Florida. Burial will be in Montoursville Cemetery, Montoursville, PA.
Arrangements are under the care of MILAM FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 311 S. Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601. (352) 376-5361.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM MENDENHALL
Marilyn Maple
January 4, 2010
Without your Dad I would never have been able to get my Ph.D. His book is magnificent and I was thilled to know that someone could write something I could understand - it was as if I had a brain-mate...not only will I miss him... future students will miss him. His legacy made my future. Thanks to him... my sorrow for you. Marilyn Maple,Ph.D.
Shelia & Don Knight
January 4, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Scott Truby
December 15, 2009
My sincere sympathy and condolences to the Mendenhall family. Chuck was one of my best friends in high school, and I want him to know that I'm praying for him in this difficult time. May your father rest in eternal peace.
D-Ann Plant and Craig Gassett
December 12, 2009
To Joan, we are deeply sorry for the loss of your sweet husband, my
mom, Dot Plant, loved working with you at Franklins and spoke of both of you often. To Bill, we know your parents are deeply proud of you and Chuck for the great healers you both are. Bill without you, our lives would be much different. Our hearts ache for you all. To all of the family.... you are part of a wonderful legacy that has touched so many lives around the world...Your grandfather was a great man for which you can be proud both of his work, but the raising of two wonderful productive sons and the wise choices they made in their lives.. always being there for their fellow man..as a healer, friend, brother, father, and a son....Fondly, D-Ann Plant Gassett and Craig E. Gassett, D.D.S
December 11, 2009
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Phil and Anne Koon
Jane Thornby Billman
December 11, 2009
To the Mendenhall Family,
We wish you heartfelt sympathy for your loss.
Our father, Dr. John Thornby, followed Dr. William Mendenhall from Lewisburg PA to Gainesville in the late 60's
to help form the Statistics Dept at UF.
We thank you for your contribution to our own lives in this wonderful town.
Joan, you were so gracious with your time and made us feel at home here.
Chuck and Bill, I remember you as children.
No surprise that you turned out so well!!!
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time and in the days ahead.
December 11, 2009
Bill, Nancy and Chuck,
I was sorry to hear about your dad.
What a wonderful legacy. I'm sure he was very proud of all of you. I certainly appreciate the statistics I learned from the text he wrote (the silver book everybody used for introductory statistics) but more I appreciate how much I learned from each of you (yes, even Chuck). My sincere condolences.
Tim Brant
December 11, 2009
My Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Pam McRae Connolly
December 10, 2009
To Joan and Family,
Nona and I send our condolences in the loss of Bill. You have our deepest sympathy and sincere prayers on this sad occasion. Bill and I simultaneously served the UF in IFAS and College of Engineering as department chairmen during the 1960s and 1970s.
Bob and Nona Braswell, Tallahassee, FL
John and Vicki Bray
December 10, 2009
Joan and family....Please accept our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jodye Glicksberg Clark
December 10, 2009
Chuck, I heard about your father from my dad, and I wanted to let you know how sorry I am and that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. Our father's enjoyed lunches out and their time together very much. He will be missed.
John Thornby
December 10, 2009
I am very sad to hear of Dr. Mendenhall's passing. My prayers and best wishes to all of his family, friends and associates.
Reginald Williams
December 10, 2009
Greetings
Our sympathy to the Mendenhall family. Our prayers are wth you.
Jones Temple COGIC-P O Box 430-Williston, Fl 32696
December 10, 2009
Bil and Nancy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
The Tudeen family
Terri Smith) Jones
December 10, 2009
Chuck, Bill and families, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. I shall remember your Dad as a smiling, caring man and we all will cherish his life ~
Terri Lee (Smith) Jones
Jacky Strickland & Family
December 10, 2009
Gainesville has lost one of its treasures. For almost a half century Dr. Mendenhall has been a guiding light for the university and an inspiration to the people of Gainesville. He made a difference. Gainesville is a better place because Dr. Mendenhall came our way.
His contributions to the academic and civic community will live on. Perhaps, his more meaningful legacy will be his family and the magnificent life-saving work of his sons in the medical community.
Our condolences go out to Mrs. Mendenhall, Drs. Bill and Charles, and their families. Thanks for sharing Dr. Mendenhall with us in such a meaningful way.
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