William Hiram "Willie" Daniels

Today, our beloved father and grandfather entered his eternal home in the presence of Jesus. Heaven has gained a great gardener and an even better man. William Hiram Daniels, known to everyone simply as "Willie," lived a life that truly exemplified what it means to be a father. In every decision, he put his family first. A devoted provider, he instilled in us the values of hard work, integrity, honesty and above all, frugality. Unless it came to hunting or gardening - his favorite pastimes - where no expense was ever too great. Willie was tough in both body and spirit, but also was kind, funny and wise. He deeply loved his wife, family, church and Jesus.
Willie was a jack of all trades, working as a foreman, business owner, heavy equipment operator, bus driver, butcher, construction worker and salesman. He believed in the dignity of hard work, and even his hobbies involved some labor. He was an excellent hunter and weaved a beautiful cast net, but his garden was his legacy.
Season after season, he plowed rows, sowed seed and toiled in his acres faithfully and was rewarded with abundant harvests. He kept his family fed, the neighbors fed and plenty of strangers too. From his gardens he taught his children and grandchildren life lessons, responsibility and hard work. His children and grandchildren continue his legacy of gardening, especially growing Okra, or "Oak-ree" as he would call it. As the Bible says in Galations 6:7, "Whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
He also believed in the joy of generosity and never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand. Willie had a deep faith in sowing good seed, whether in the soil or in the lives of people – and he never shied away from the labor required to bring about a good harvest.
We are reminded of Galations 6:9 "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing." He was our blessing, and his harvest is seen in the strong, close-knit family his hands faithfully cultivated. We celebrate the life he built and the legacy he leaves. Even as we grieve the earthly loss of our cherished father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband and friend, we rejoice in the time we were blessed to have with him and hold fast to the promise that one day we will be reunited.
Willie is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Alonzo Daniels; mother, Lilly Ola McCall Daniels; brother, Kinneth Daniels; mother-in-law, Vivian Naomi Lee Beach; father-in-law, James Russell Beach; sisters-in-law, Marion Lovis Beach Miles, Sonya Dale Beach Sword and Shirley Daniels; brother-in-law, Charles McGill; and nephew, Jason Daniels.
Left to treasure his memory is his wife of 66 years, Wanda Ruth Beach Daniels; daughters, Tammy Stewart (Billy) and Kimberly Aultman (Jim); son, Joseph Russell "Russ" Daniels (Jennifer); grandchildren, Lindsey Cross (Jeremy), Kyle Merritt, Stacie Routt (Travis), Jo De Hollis (Corey) and Kylie Bennett (Bradley); great-grandchildren, Kaylin Cross, Brayden Cross, Amanda Valdes (Nicholas), Megan Routt, Emily Routt, Hannah Hollis and Hailey Hollis; great-great-grandchild, Sutton Mae Banker; brothers, J.A. Daniels (Alice), Larry Daniels (Donna), Herman Daniels (Marilyn) and Harold Daniels; sisters-in-law, Marian Daniels and Jane McGill; brother-in-law, Tommy Beach (Regla); six nieces and 14 nephews; and many great and great-great-nephews and nieces.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at Callaway Assembly of God, with Rev. Tim Stephens and Rev. Bobby Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Willie will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Cypress Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Kinard, FL.