Francis Willard Vickery

Willard lived a childhood of adventure in Tallahassee, making life-long friends and graduating from Leon High School in 1944. Following his brother Tom into the Navy, he served two years as a hospital corpsman in Millington, TN. After his military service he enrolled at Union University, Jackson, TN, where he graduated with a BS degree in biology and met his devoted partner in life, Anne Hailey of Memphis, TN. Willard and Anne were married on August 8, 1948, at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis.

Continuing an interest that developed in him as a boy, Willard began a long career with the Boy Scouts of America, serving in Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, and Florida. After 12 years in Pensacola as Chief Scout Executive for the Gulf Coast Council, Willard returned to Little Rock, AR to serve the Quapaw Area Council for the final 12 of his almost 40 years in professional Scouting. Upon his retirement, Willard and Anne returned to Pensacola, reuniting with many friends.

In retirement, “Vick,” as he was known to his Scouting family, soon found a new but familiar place of service as Scoutmaster of Troop 10, sponsored by First Baptist Church. In fulfilling the purpose of Scouting, the Scouts he taught and led have gone on to be leaders in their communities, churches, and places of work.

Renewing his interest in drumming from high school band days, Vick also became known as “the Drum Man” to many students of local elementary schools where he volunteered and shared his enthusiasm for drums. Fly fishing with friends filled many other retirement afternoons.

Mr. Vickery was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Tom, his wife Anne, and his son Dane. He is survived by his daughter, Sherre Costello of Fair Oaks, CA, daughter Lynne Marshall of Pensacola, son Griffin Vickery (Julie) of Pensacola, granddaughters Blythe Webster (Sean) and Hannah Marshall Bryant (Jordan), and two great-grandchildren.

Wherever Mr. Vickery lived he found his place of service. For all his time in Pensacola, he and Anne were sustained by the loving fellowship of First Baptist Church. He has been devoted to his family, his Christian faith, and his friends. In celebration of his life a memorial service will take place in Pleitz Chapel at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox, Pensacola, FL, at 2:00 pm, Sunday, July 16, 2017.

The family wishes to thank all those who offered their love and support to Mr. Vickery, especially since the passing of Anne. The staffs of Stat Home Health Care and Regency Hospice have been a blessing. Special thanks to Teresha, Anne, Amy, Jessica, Nancy, Cheryl, Wanda, Anita, John, Emily, Rachel, and Maria.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to your local council of the Boy Scouts of America, a local Scout unit, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.