William Battle "Will" Peebles Jr.

ALICEVILLE William “Will” Battle Peebles, Jr., age 86, of Aliceville, died May 28, 2010, at home. Services will be 10 a.m. June 2, 2010, at Aliceville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Roger Short and David Hodnett officiating. Burial will follow in Franconia Oak Grove Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation in the Church Sanctuary will follow services.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Pebbles King; and grandson, Richard Battle Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Sara Ann Wood Peebles of Aliceville; daughters, Jerri Ann McCreless (Michael) of Tuscaloosa, Sarah Johnson (Ricky), Celeste Hankins (Kenny) and Virginia Latham (Mike), all of Aliceville; Grey and Elisabeth Hankins, Jennifer Morgan (Scott), Allison and Jessi Latham, Patrick and Alex McCreless and Lauren and Catherine Johnson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Will graduated from Aliceville High School where he played football and baseball. He continued his baseball career with the Pickens County Pirates as well as other local teams. He was an avid sports fan and outdoorsman who enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren participate in all sports. He was employed by Aliceville Coco Cola Bottling Company while still in high school and continued working there until 1962 when he decided to devote himself full time to farming and raising cattle. On December 29, 1963, he married Sara Ann Wood and they built a house next door to the Peebles home where Will was born and moved into it; making the only move in his entire life.

Will was baptized as an infant in the Aliceville First United Methodist Church and has been a faithful member, with a near perfect attendance record up until his illness. He served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the United Methodist Men and various other committees. He was a director of Pickens County Farm Bureau, a member and two-term President of Pickens County Cattlemen's Association, and a member of Aliceville Museum and Cultural Arts Center. He was a past member of Pickens County Historical Society, Pickens County Tourism Association, Aliceville Historical Preservation Commission, Aliceville Little Theatre, Pickens Academy Board of Directors, Pickens County Hospital, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tri County Cooperative and Board of Directors of First South PCA. He was selected Aliceville's Citizen of the Year in 1977.

Will loved Aliceville and Pickens County. He has always lived by the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” His strong faith in God has enabled him to overcome many obstacles. He loved people and animals… children and animals seemed to be drawn to him in a special way. His love, faithfulness and determination will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Pallbearers will be McCoy Booth, P.M. “Pep” Johnston, Howard Edwards, Allen Moore, Elton Gibson and C.S. “Sonny” Stirling.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Aliceville First United Methodist Church, the Directors of Pickens County Farmers Federation, Dr. James H. and Peggy Gentry, Alan and Jean Harper, Joe and Martha Horton, Billy and Glenda Huff, James and Irene Hankins, Bill and Jean Martin, Doc and Betty Martin, Don and Marie McKinzy, John and Mary Bess Paluzzi, Ted and Paula Sisty and Billy and Patsy Tinsley.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. James L. Parker and the nursing staff of Amedisys Home Health.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Aliceville First United Methodist Church, Old Bethany Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund or Franconia Oak Grove Cemetery.