William “Bill” Walter Massey, Jr.

William “Bill” Walter Massey, Jr. died May 8, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was 83. Born September 21, 1928, in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, Bill came to Jacksonville with his family in 1938 where his father, William W. Massey, Sr., began Massey Motors, Inc. Bill attended Landon High School in Jacksonville and from there went on to University of Miami where he attained his Bachelor’s degree in business and finance. He served in the U.S. Air force in the early 1950’s and married Virginia Smith in 1952. They have lived in Jacksonville ever since and raised four children together. In August of this year they would have been married 60 years. Having long been associated with the family car business, Bill later discovered his love for art and attained a Masters of Art degree from University of Florida in 1969. In the early 1990’s Bill became interested in family history and began his successful 10 year pursuit to trace Massey ancestry prior to the Norman Invasion of 1066 A.D. His book, Massey Genealogy, was published in 2000 and continues to be the leading authority on the ancestral history of Massey families living throughout the Southern U.S. and Texas. His greatest passion, however, was for his wife, Virginia, and his family. Bill was pre-deceased by his daughter, Lynn S. Massey, mother, Bessie Ann Massey, father, William W. Massey, Sr. (“Big Bill”) and brother, Robert B. Massey, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Virginia S. Massey, son, William W. Massey, III, daughters, Laura Ann Massey and Lisa LaSalvia, five grandchildren and one great-grand child. Visitation will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Funeral Home, located at 4801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL. A Graveside Service will be held in Oaklawn Cemetery at 10:00 AM. on Wednesday, May 16th. Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, May 16th at Southside United Methodist Church with Pastor Bruce Jones as Officiant Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home 4115 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207. (904) 346-3808. www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com