William L. Williams

William Leroy Williams, age 85, of Orlando, left this life Wednesday, January 3, 2007 after a courageous 5 year battle with Renal Failure, as well as, other ailments. He was a tired Sailor. He said several days before his death, "I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn't know it was going to be this hard".

Mr. Williams was a native Floridian, born in Wauchula, Florida in 1921. Bill as he was known, was always adventuresome and made a living as he could. During the depression. his first job was a "Newsie" on the corner of Orange and Central for the Sentinel. Bill delivered groceries, as well as, delivering messages for the Postal Telegraph. When he was 14 he toured the state of Florida by bicycle pulling his homebuilt trailer. He paid his way by selling post cards of his travels and working along the way. Bill never found an obstacle he could not overcome.

Bill met Marjory Brooks at a dance and they dated for about 3 years. He and Marjory married in March 1943. Bill was serving in the Navy at that time. He was serving courageously in the South Pacific on boats and small ships gathering vital information on where the enemy was. His career field was cooking but in time of war he did a little of everything. He once spent the night in a fox hole with a 10' python, and the enemy in the trees overhead.

After his service, they settled in downtown Orlando where he worked for Sears for over 20 years. In the early 1960's, he began building homes which he rented. He later built, developed and sold homes in Central Florida which he did for some 20 years. A number of Developments and residential areas around central and south Orlando have his touches on them. He began building just before the Disney era and continued for the next decade. Bill also owned several other businesses here in Central Florida including, a Well Drilling, Air Conditioning, Fence and an Engineering Firm.

Bill was a survivor. He looked death in the eye several times. In the early 60's he was hit with a 7,200 volt electrical line that passed through his body and stopped his heart, but he was saved by a 35' fall to the top of a truck.

Bill was an avid fisherman and would love nothing better than to take off for 3 or 4 days and recharge his batteries. He loved to fish some 25 to 50 miles off the West Coast. He had many hobbies including plants and flowers and an affinity for turning some of those hobbies into businesses.

Bill and Marjory are parents of a son and daughter. He is survived by Marjory, daughter Dee Dee, Grand-dogs Moose & Fudge, and son Duane and Jackie, his wife, of Altamonte Springs. Bill is survived by a sister Ruth and her husband Clarence of Jacksonville his four grandchildren, John and his wife Lori; David of Altamonte Springs, Kimberly K.; of Orlando, Michael and his wife Susan of Tampa. Bill is also survived by 8 Great Grand Children: Ben, Cheryl, John Michael, Kyle, Allie, Kendall, Cassidy and Casey Duane.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007 at Trinty Lutheran Church, 123 E. Livingston Street, Orlando. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 3:00 PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family has asked in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church, Building Fund 123 E. Livingston Street, Orlando, FL 32801. Arrangements by Newcomer Family Funeral Home. To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.newcomerfamily.com.