Will Teague Ramsey Jr.

Will Teague Ramsey, Jr., 81, passed away on Monday, May 17, 2021 in Pensacola, Florida. Will was also known as “Billy” and “W.T.” to family and friends – which he has so very many of. Will was born to Will T. Ramsey, Sr. and Mary Stainback Ramsey on July 16, 1939 in Mobile, Alabama. He attended UMS-Wright in Mobile, until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1957. Will served in the Vietnam War. He was a medic, charged with identifying the fallen by dental records, a heroic yet traumatizing task. Will, as anybody would, turned to alcohol to get through the hard times. Not one to let anything keep him down, Will sought help when drinking became a problem. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous, which would be an endeavor that would remain close to him for the rest of his life. Will appeared on “Let’s Make a Deal” at the end of July 1967, where he would go on to win a grill, patio set, and the heart of his future wife, Mary Ann Ramsey. She was ironing cloths and watching the gameshow, when she happened to spot a service man from Mobile, Alabama, dressed as a hobo. They met at Parents Without Partners, and were married the day before Thanksgiving – November 22, 1972 – a union that both of them would remain thankful for every day of their lives. Will retired from the Navy aboard the USS Constitution in 1981, after 24 honorable years of service. He received a B.S.W. in Social Work and an M.A. in Counseling from Rhode Island College.

Will had a heart for the downtrodden. He was a counselor and sponsor in A.A., and while in the service he led counseling groups for other servicemen with substance abuse problems. These were his people. No one was ever worth giving up on, and there is no better description that can be given of Will than he was born with a helper’s heart.

He loved fishing – he had obviously spent much of his life around water – and traveling. Will enjoyed the time he spent in the Northeast with his wife Mary Ann. He loved baseball, and was a Boston Red Sox fan. Later in life, Will became an Alabama fan. Above all else, Will was a family man. He was a good father, grandfather, and friend. Will was a hand to hold in one’s darkest hours, and will be greatly missed.

Will was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Theresa Ramsey; and one granddaughter, Broox Ramsey.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Mary Ann Ramsey; six children, Jeff Creel (Donna, dec.), Danny Creel (April), Will T. Ramsey, III, Shawn Ramsey, Laurie “Lulu” Ramsey, and David Ramsey; fourteen grandchildren, Jason Creel (Jennifer), Jana Creel, Marissa Creel, David Mizell, Will T. Ramsey, IV, Caryn Ramsey, Samantha Duda, Teague Ramsey, Calla Pettis, Catherine Goss (Clifton), Nathaniel Alphonse, Dorothy Bergen, Tray Ramsey (Sherrie), and Brittany Denny (Chris); twenty great-grandchildren, James, Johnny, Jaclyn, Julie, Mackenzie, Logan, Lily, Hunter, Shawna, Cadence, Freya, Nora, Elias, Kenzie, Cooper, Skylar, Emma, Jaden, Teague, Zane, and Ziley; one sister, Mary Ramsey Jones; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other cherished family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, 2021 at Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway in Mobile, Alabama, with a chapel service immediately following. Interment will be in Pine Crest Cemetery.