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William Rish Obituary
Born to Roy P. and Lucy P. Rish in Wewahitchka, Fla., on Sept. 10, 1932, he was the youngest of four brothers. In 1950, he graduated from Wewahitchka High School, where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. After graduating, he ran a milk route from Guilford's Dairy before opening the West Florida Gas Company store in Wewahitchka at the age of 19. Soon afterward, he was drafted into the Army for two years.
Following his army service, Mr. Rish enrolled at the University of Florida, where he earned a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degree with honors in 1958. He returned to the University of Florida in 1959 to attend the College of Law and received his law degree in 1962. He was admitted to the Florida Bar later that year and opened his law office in Port St. Joe.
In 1970, Mr. Rish was elected to the first of four terms in the Florida House of Representatives, serving several Panhandle counties until 1978. From 1974 to 1978, he was chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and had the unenviable duty of leading the investigation of three Florida Supreme Court justices who faced impeachment proceedings. He also served on the House Rules and Appropriations Committee. Among his legislative accomplishments was the establishment on St. Joseph Peninsula of the very first state park for the handicapped. The Legislature surprised him in his last session by naming the park the Billy Joe Rish State Park.
In addition to his legislative service, he served as chairman of the Florida Ethics Commission, Port St. Joe city attorney, Gulf County attorney and assistant public defender for many years.
A dedicated Christian, Mr. Rish was a member of First United Methodist Church in Port St. Joe since 1962. He taught Sunday school faithfully for 40 years and held many offices in his local church throughout the years. He also served as a lay speaker in the area. He was a lay member to the annual conference many times. He was elected as a delegate to General Conference beginning in 1980 and served five terms, or 20 years. As a result of being a delegate to General Convention, he automatically served as delegate to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference and the Alabama –West Florida Annual Conference.
He also was a longtime member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Port St. Joe, the Florida Bar Association, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, his beloved Porkchoppers Club and the Gulf County Chamber of Commerce, which gave him a lifetime achievement award in February 2008.
Mr. Rish was predeceased by his parents, Roy P. and Lucy P. Rish; his brothers, Roy P. Rish Jr. and Henry I. Rish; and his nephew, Henry I. (Hank) Rish Jr. Survivors include his beloved wife of 50 years, Carol Thompson Rish; his daughter, Cathy R. Womac of Alpharetta, Ga.; son, Jay Rish of Port St. Joe; grandchildren, Steven and Garrett Bode of Alpharetta, Ga., and Joe, Caroline and Kathleen Rish of Port St. Joe; brother and sister-in-law, Robert C. and Betty Rish of Wewahitchka; and brother-in-law, Richard E. Thompson of Panama City, Fla.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe. Interment will follow in Holly Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT today, May 19, 2008, at the church. Those desiring may make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, 2012 A Lisenby Ave., Panama City, FL 32405; Covenant Hospice, 107 W. 19th St., Panama City, FL 32405; First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe, 1001 Constitution Drive, Port St. Joe, FL 32456; the Heifer Project International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202 or a favorite charity.
Active pallbearers will be Thomas S. Gibson, Russell Schalz, Paul Groom, Stan Siprell, Charles M. Norton and Clifford W. Sanborn Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Bernard A. Pridgeon Jr. Memorial Sunday School Class and the Kiwanis Club of Port. St. Joe. Mr. Rish's video tribute may be viewed online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.net.
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Memories and Condolences
for William Rish
Tommie and Thelma Layfield
May 28, 2008
From Childhood until He was received into God's Heavenly Throne,I knew Billy Joe.. He and my husband were devoted and Beloved friends.Tom is in deep mourning and his throughts and reflections of Bill goes way back.He worked for Billy Joe for many years until his own failing health.Through the years,they became deep and abiding friends and Tommie maintains a deep and affectionete love for Bill's entire family..they know this...as I also do.He never met a stranger.. to Bill..A stranger was a friend he had not made yet.I know Heaven's is brighter because of this beautiful soul and our deep and respectful love goes out to Carol,Cathy,Jay and all those beautiful grandchildren..also Bobby and Betty...his nephews and his nieces..he will never be forgotten by us and we shall always love and miss him.May God Be with all his family.. We shall always miss him. Tom and Thelma
Bob Hattaway
May 21, 2008
Carol, Billy Joe was such a leader in the House of Representives. It was a privlidge to serve with Him. He was the kind of person that when he took a stand on an issue, he kept his word. As a House Member from Central Florida, I watched him take the lead on controversial issues. Billy Joe was patient, understanding, and an asset to the House. The days we shared in Tallahassee will long be remembered. May each day be a blessing to you and you faimly, knowing that you shared a life with a very special person.
Mike and Cherie Danner
May 21, 2008
Dear Carol,
Mike and I send our deepest, heart-felt and prayerful thoughts during your time of loss.
We will continue to keep you and your family in our prayers during the coming days.
I know that you love and trust the Lord and we all know that only through Him will we find the comfort that we need.
Thoughtfully and prayerfully!
Joyce Pugh
May 20, 2008
Many years ago, as a reporter for the Panama City News-Herald, I interviewed Mr. Rish on several occasions. What a raconteur! But also, what a man with a big heart. My favorite interview with him was about a camp he sponsored for disabled children in Port St. Joe; his sincerity and compassion shown through.
Rest easy, Billy Joe
Bev (Shackelford) Pittman
May 20, 2008
Carol, we send all our prayers and love to you Cathy and Jay. We will truly miss Mr. Billy Joe he's a great man and have always treated our family ( Eartha Shackelford) and many others with much love and help at all times. Port St Joe has truly lost a very great lawyer and friend. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you and will be praying for you as you have done for our family during the lost of our mom. We know he's in a better place now no more suffering or pain he's now smiling and having a talk with many. God bless you during this time . (E. Shackelford family)
Sonny Dean
May 20, 2008
Our heart felt sympathy to the family. Billy Joe was a long time friend of mine.
Bev (Shackelford) Pittman
May 20, 2008
Carol, we send all our prayers and love to you and the two children. We will truly miss Mr. Billy Joe he's a great man and have always treated our family ( Eartha Shackelford) with much love and help at all times. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking about you and will be praying for you as you have done for our family during the lost of our mom. We know he's in a better place now no more suffering or pain. God bless you as you go through this time.
John (J. D.) Putnam
May 20, 2008
Billy Joe won my respect and the respect of all those who knew him. He was a positive influence on us all as we grew up. And... he was a funny guy!
My sincere best wishes to all his family and friends. J D Putnam
Don Fuqua
May 19, 2008
My sympathy gors out to Billy Joe's family, he was an outstanding person. During his service in the Florida Legislature he was my representative from Calhoun County.
Former Congresman Don Fuqua
Fmr Cong. Earl & Nancy Hutto
May 19, 2008
We have lost one of our dearest friends. Our friendship dates back to the time when Earl and Billy Joe sat side-by-side in the Fla. House of Representatives. Later we enjoyed the Rishes when they visited us in Washington. More recently we have had good times together in the Porkchoppers group. Billy Joe was devout in his faith and we are comforted in knowing he is with the Lord. Our deepest sympathies to Carol, Jay, and Cathy and family.
Will Kendrick
May 19, 2008
What a great leader North Florida has lost. The lives that Billy Joe has touched can never be measured. While his presence amoung us will be missed his strong faith and leadership will forever remain within us. Mrs. Carol, Jay and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Donald L. Tucker
May 19, 2008
Billy Joe and I became friends in law school. We were together again in the Legislature.It was an honor to serve with Billy Joe. He was a strong and effective leader and a dear friend.
Agnes Peavy Carriere
May 19, 2008
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of my dear classmate (grade 1-12), Billy Joe. His life was long and fruitful and he served his Master well while on this earth. Now he is in heaven reaping the fruits of his earthly labor. He has left behind a great legacy of his life, both thru his contributions to society and thru his family.
I pray for God's blessing on his loved ones as they go thru this very difficult time.
R Floyd
May 18, 2008
God has truly picked a rose. Mr. Rish, your last race has been won. St. Joe will never be the same.
From: Grover Floyd Family
S Sanders
May 18, 2008
Mr. Rish fought a good fight and kept the faith. Now basking in the arms of Jesus.God has truly picked a rose.
Grover Floyd Family
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