William Jennings Sharpe

William Jennings (Bill) Sharpe was born December 12, 1921, in Shawmut, Alabama to Melwyn and Elloree Sharpe. He died June 2 at the age of 91.

He graduated from Bushnell High School in 1940 and attended the University of Florida until he joined the navy to serve during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He returned to the University of Florida and graduated in 1949 with a degree in Agriculture. He was an avid Gator. His career was with the Florida Department of Agriculture where he was employed as an inspector of agricultural products in several areas of the state. Following his retirement he continued to own and operate Pleasant Hill Ranch.

He was married to Mary Maud (Trowbridge) Sharpe in 1954 and they celebrated 59 years of marriage. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, John Robert Sharpe and wife Bonnie Sharpe of Kansas City, MO; a granddaughter, Jennifer Bailey and husband Charles Bailey; two great granddaughters, Mary Grace Bailey and Lilly Ann Bailey of Stevensville, MD. He is also survived by a brother, M. Hervey Sharpe of Loganville, GA; and a sister, Hazel Binger of Crossville, TN; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; and three sisters, Helen Swain, Elosie Cassidy and Rebecca Hurlbert.

He loved family and friends and had never missed a Sharpe Family Reunion or a Bushnell High School Class Reunion until his recent illness.

He was a member of the Saint Paul's Methodist Church, the Tallahassee, Thomasville and Gainesville Rose Societies, the Tallahassee Camellia Society and the Florida Daffodil Society. He was an American Rose Society Horticulture and Arrangement Judge as well as an American Camellia Society Judge. He was a Goodwood Rose Garden Volunteer. He loved growing plants and he loved his cows.

Services will be held at the Saint Paul's Methodist Church, 1700 North Meridian Rd., Tallahassee, FL, at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 6. Visitation will be held at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road from 6:00 - 8:00pm on Wednesday, June 5.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the many caring friends for their support during his illness and especially to the staff at Eden Springs Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and to Big Bend Hospice.

Contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice or to the organization or charity of your choice .