William Pumphrey

William (Bill) Fenley Pumphrey, 89, of Brevard, NC died suddenly on July 26, 2012. Born in Marianna, Florida on October 3, 1922, he was the son of Rena Virginia Cook Pumphrey and Charles William Pumphrey. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jean Hamaker Pumphrey and his daughter-in-law Phyllis Kelley Pumphrey.

One of six children, he grew up in Marianna on the campus of the Dozier School for Boys, where his parents were employed for 30 years. Following high school graduation, he enrolled at the University of Florida in the fall of 1941.  He enlisted in the Navy immediately following the bombing of Pearl Harbor that same fall. He served overseas in the Pacific theater of the war on the aircraft carrier "Monterrey" as a naval aviator in the fighter squadron VF 34.  After the war, he continued to fly with the Naval Air Reserve until 1949. He was deeply proud of his service to his country during WW II and maintained ties with members of his squadron for many decades through regular squadron reunions.  During his flight training on the campus of Rollins College in Winter Haven, Florida, he met his beloved Jeannie, a Rollins student.  Bill and Jean were married on June 9, 1946.

Bill completed his education at the University of Florida, attaining a Masters in Agricultural Education. He was recruited by Chipola Junior College in Florida to initiate a program in Agricultural Education, developing the curriculum and teaching related courses.

In 1952, he was hired to supervise and expand Leon Eggs, a large egg production business with over 10,000 laying hens, in Tallahassee, Florida. In 1958, he was hired as Vice-President of Pinebreeze Eggs in Callahan, Florida. During his career with Pinebreeze, he was instrumental in the expansion of the company, including developing sales relationships with Winn-Dixie and other groceries from New York to Puerto Rico.

After retirement, Bill enjoyed cultivating (very) large gardens, putting up food, fishing, and most of all, his five grandchildren. His abundant spirit and zest for life has provided his loved ones with a lifetime of wonderful memories and stories that will keep us laughing. Most of all, we can be thankful for his steadfast support and dedication to his family and the connection to the joyous extended family that we share.

Bill is survived by his sister, Jeanette Wilsdorf, of Dothan, AL; his four children: Gerald Pumphrey (Carol Wintercorn) of Olympia, WA; Jo Pumphrey (Bill Byers) of Brevard, NC, Roy Pumphrey of Newberry, FL; Virginia Ryce (Robert Ryce) of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren: Lillian Byers, Kerry Pumphrey (John Hardin), Will Byers, Katie Waitt (Taylor Waitt), and Matthew Bowman. Bill also became a great-grandfather just two days before his passing, and was overjoyed to learn of the birth of Ava Grace Waitt on July 24.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Marianna, Florida on Friday, August 3 at 3pm. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, contributions  may be made in honor of William Pumphrey to Chipola College Foundation,

3024 Indian Circle; Marianna, FL 32446.

To leave a condolence for the Pumphrey family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home & Cremation Services are caring for the family.