William Hamilton PRUITT

1929 - 2016

PRUITT, William Hamilton
William Hamilton Pruitt, "Bill", passed away at his home in West Palm Beach, Florida on May 22, 2016, to be reunited with his wife, Virginia Earnest Pruitt, who predeceased him in 1998. Bill was born in Miami, Florida, on September 23, 1929 to William J. and Margaret Hamilton Pruitt. After graduating from Miami High, in 1948 Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the Paris Island football team and served as an instructor for the Browning Automatic Rifle. Bill was subsequently "traded" to Cherry Point, North Carolina, Second Marine Air Wing where he again played football in addition to his duties preparing flight orders, routes and logs. After his active duty with the Marine Corps, he attended the University of Florida where he played football for the Gators until the Korean War broke out and he was recalled to active duty. He was quickly promoted to Second Lieutenant and sent to Korea in 1951 and assigned to the Air and Naval Gun Fire Liaison Company, First Signal Battalion, First Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. He directed naval gun fire for the battleships Missouri, New Jersey, Iowa and Wisconsin in addition to the cruisers St. Paul and Rochester. Additionally, he directed artillery fire and air strikes as a Forward Observer several hundred meters in front of the U.S. line of defense. In July of 1952, Bill returned from Korea to Miami, Florida and started law school at the University of Miami where he received his JD degree in 1955, but remained active in the Marine Corps Reserves until 1962 after being promoted to the rank of Captain. At the University of Florida while playing football for the Gators, he met his wife Ginger who was a Florida cheerleader. Bill was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1955 at which time he practiced with his father in Miami until 1957 when he moved his family to West Palm Beach, Florida and became a partner in his father-in-law Robert L. Earnest's law firm. Bill practiced law for 61 years in Florida, remaining active in his office every day until his death. Bill practiced in both State and Federal Courts, was a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Association, the Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Palm Beach County Trial Lawyers Association, and served on the Board of Governors of the Junior Bar Section (now Young Lawyers Division) from 1963 to 1971. Shortly after coming to West Palm Beach, Bill was appointed to represent Floyd "Lucky" Holzapfel in 1960. Mr. Holzapfel had been charged with the murders of Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Curtis Eugene Chillingworth and his wife Marjorie. Bill was very active in the practice of law beginning his career representing insurance companies and later injured and insured persons. Early in his career, he obtained three defense jury verdicts for his clients in one week. After switching his practice to represent injured clients he obtained many notable verdicts. He represented the First Baptist Church in litigation to obtain proper zoning for construction of the Chapel By The Lake, wrote the original Charter for Palm Beach Atlantic College (now Palm Beach Atlantic University), and represented many high profile clients including John D. MacArthur, Russell Firestone, W. G. Lassiter, Waste Management of Palm Beach, the Atlanta Braves/Montreal Expos Joint Venture, and the Miami Marlins/St. Louis Cardinals Joint Venture. Bill served on the Board of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches for many years and was its President in 1987. Bill coached youth baseball and served on numerous PTA Boards. He was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, a member of the American Legion and YMCA. He was a founding member of the Governors Club, and belonged to the Tuscawilla Club. Bill was a Board Member and Trustee for the South Florida Fair and Exposition from 1991 until 2005, serving as the Chairman of that Board from 1999 to 2001. At the time of his death, Bill was still involved as a Distinguished Trustee with the Fair. Bill's life was an amazing journey. He was a noted and respected attorney, was sought after as a Master of Ceremonies, actively involved as a volunteer and a leader in his local community, and proudly served his country. Bill enjoyed being with his family the most, watching his grandchildren engage in activities, both academic and sports related. Bill was known for his sense of humor. If given a topic, he would provide listeners with an unending list of jokes and stories. He clearly left his mark and legacy on his friends, family and community. When undertaking to represent a client, Bill made sure to put that client's interests first while achieving the best possible result through fairness and honest dealing. He lived his life true to "Honor, Courage and Commitment" and the motto "Semper Fidelis" whenever it came to his friends, family, fellow Marines or his country. Bill is preceded in death by his father and mother William J. and Margaret Pruitt; wife Virginia Earnest Pruitt; sister Margaret Faircloth; brothers-in-law William Plumb and Robert Earnest. He is survived by his children William E. Pruitt (E. Bruce), Virginia L. Pruitt, Robert H. Pruitt, Leanora P. Conlin (Sean); grandchildren William B. Pruitt, Michael Conlin, Christopher Conlin, Robert Pruitt and Marie Pruitt; sister Inia Jean Plumb; brother-in-law Robert Faircloth; sister-in-law Ann Earnest; and numerous nephews and nieces. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2016 from 2:00PM to 4:00PM and 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. A funeral/memorial service will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 11:00AM at Family Church, 1101 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation https://www.mcsf.org/get-involved/invest-scholarships/heroes-tribute-scholarship/ or payable to the South Florida Fair Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 210367, West Palm Beach, Florida 33421-0367.
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