William Howard Bivens

William (Bill) Howard Bivens was born in Vonore, Tennessee on May 28, 1929 to the late John and Maggie Bivens. He died in Jacksonville Beach, Florida on June 1, 2015 of heart failure at the age of 86. Following service with the Army and Air Force during the Korean War, Bill began his broadcast engineering career in radio in Centraila, Illinois. He then moved to KWK radio and television in St. Louis, Missouri as a studio, master control and transmitter engineer. In 1970, Bill and longtime radio colleagues Jack Donnell and Jerry Brown bought WJNJ AM 1600 in Atlantic Beach, Florida and became Beach residents.

Bill was active in the local Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post 129 Voiture Locale #215, Rotary Club, and Jacksonville Association of Broadcasters. He worked on community committees that created the Pablo Towers, Dollar Ride for seniors and was instrumental in bringing the Boy Scouts to the Beaches. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Beach. After the sale of WJNJ in 1979 Bill launched a new career when he bought Times Square Printing in Jacksonville Beach. Several years later he started Champion Printing where he retired after 25 years in 2009. A tireless problem solver, he always went the extra distance to help friends in their personal and professional lives as a mentor and confidant.

Bill is survived locally by his wife Fanny, two children Billy (Daryl) and Garry, two grandchildren Kyle and William, four brothers, Don, Jim, Elzie and Bob of Maryville, Tennessee and many nieces and nephews as well as extended family, Mike Bonts and Nancy Beecher of Jacksonville, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Refird and sister Jeannette (Bivens) Axley. Bill loved being surrounded by family and friends. He blessed us all with a positive outlook on life, a sharp wit and greeted everyone with a friendly smile and hello.

A service to celebrate his life will be held Friday, June 5th at 2:00 p.m. at HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The McGraw Center, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.