William Godfrey James

William (Bill) Godfrey James died at home and went to Heaven on September 14th, 2022 in Juno Beach, FL at the age of 92.

Bill was born in Boynton Beach, FL and one of eight children of Godfrey & Margaret James.  In his extraordinary life he attended Delray Beach High School & graduated from the University of Florida, served in the United States Army (508th Regimental Combat Team) detached from the 82nd Airborne, owned and operated Delray Beach Insurance Agency established in 1956, attended & served as a charter elder at Seacrest Presbyterian Church in Delray Beach, was active in Civitan Club, elected to the Florida House of Representatives, 1967-1970 and 1972-1978 serving as House Republican Minority Leader 1976-1978.  Bill was a past board member of the Beech Mountain Club and a summer resident of Beech Mountain, North Carolina.

In 1951, Bill married Bobbie Maxine Mcfee of Delray Beach bringing together two wonderful families and raised three children: Amy Kilby (Bruce), Mark James (Cynthia Robinson) and George James.  He was blessed with grandchildren: Cheryl, Mathew, Patrick, Carrie, Meghan, Buddy & 11 great-grandchildren.  His youngest son George, died in 1989 followed by his wife Bobbie, in 2000.  In 2002, Bill married Erma Pickel Obermayer of Boynton Beach, bringing together two more wonderful families, three step-daughters: Gayle Kirsch (Mike), Kim Vole (Peter) & Tia Phillips (Marty), and many step-grandchildren.  His second wife Erma, died in 2010.  Bill remained unmarried.

Years later, he found companionship with Bette Grogan, of Beech Mountain, NC and Orlando, FL, mother of Kathy Barnett (Bill) & Ron Rowell (Tom).  In late 2020, illness required Bette’s move to Texas and Bill to Juno Beach, FL.  There he eventually met Carol Butdorf, mother of Steve (Barbara Carroll), Ken, Bill (Kathy) & John (Kim).  Bill and Carol had a wonderful companionship.  They were members of and faithfully attended Ascend Church in Jupiter, FL.  In his last days, Carol remained lovingly devoted to caring for Bill along with his children and family.

A Memorial Service will be held at Seacrest Presbyterian Church, 2703 N. Seacrest Blvd, Delray Beach, FL at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 15, 2022 followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made payable to Palm Beach State College Foundation, Inc., referencing “George James Memorial Scholarship” at Foundation of Palm Beach State College, 640 Clematis Street, #278, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.  Contributions can also be made online at the Foundation website.