William “Bill” Hepburn, 92, of Maitland, was called to Heaven on Monday, June 4, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on March 3, 1926, in Jamaica, NY. Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Eileen Hepburn; his beloved daughter, Linda Hayes and her husband, Mike, of Longwood, FL; his cherished son, Steve Hepburn and his wife, Brenda, of Orlando, FL; his sisters Dorothy O’Kula and her husband, Stan, of Orlando, FL; Sister Joan Hepburn, OP of Amityville, NY; three granddaughters, Jennifer Ferguson and her husband, Brent, Angela Ringel and her husband, Donald, Heather Mariani and her husband, Mario; one great granddaughter, Blakelee Ferguson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothea Hepburn; his parents, Marcus and Viola Hepburn; his Aunt Grace Hepburn, as well as his brother Marcus Hepburn and his sister Grace Baumann.
Bill proudly served our country as a member of the United States Navy and served during World War II and the Korean War. He was a Naval Aviator and Test Pilot. After his service in the Navy he continued his education at Rutgers and Rollins College. He became a statistician by profession and worked at Lenox China, Minute Maid/Coca-Cola and Florida Citrus Mutual while teaching part-time at Rollins College. He later became a full-time professor at Rollins College for over 30 years and went on to retire from Rollins. After retirement, he continued his love for teaching at Belhaven Christian College. His hobbies and interest include the love for reading and books, teaching, boating, love of his pets, going to the beach and serving others.
Bill was a devout Christian and always taught us “To Trust in the Lord”. He attended several churches in his lifetime which included St. Charles Catholic Church, Calvary Assembly of God, First Baptist Church of Orlando, Orangewood Presbyterian and Downtown Baptist Church. He believed and trusted in our Lord Jesus Christ and his final highway to Heaven was peaceful as he was called home.
Bill will be laid to rest with Military honors on Saturday, June 9 at 2:00 pm with a Celebration of Life Memorial followed by a graveside service with flag ceremony. The family will receive friends to celebrate Bill’s life at a viewing on Friday, June 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in his memory to Hospice of the Comforter, 605 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32714.
