By Staff
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Retired, William Jackson “Bill” Boutwell Jr., 77, of Pensacola, Fla. passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas after a brief courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Sept. 14, 1932 to William Jackson and Donnie Moye Boutwell. Bill served his country proudly and faithfully for 20 years, with tours of duty including Germany, Japan and Thailand. After retiring, he went back to Atmore to become materials manager to Greenlawn Hospital from 1965 to 1975. He then went to Pensacola to West Florida Hospital, under construction at the time, where he was director of materials management from 1975-1980. He went to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he was head materials management from 1980 to 1985.
In 1985, Bill retired and returned to the States. He and Marion traveled the world extensively, spending winters in Northwest Florida and summers in Colorado.
His parents and a brother, Alvin Boutwell, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Marion Rachel Boutwell; four daughters, Karen (Paul) Knowles, Debbie Gunn, Gail (George) Pettis and Serena Jones; 12 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; his sisters Rachel (Johnny) Freeman and Doris Ann (Lee Roy) Peacock and a sister-in-law, Doris Boutwell. He will be sadly missed by his good friends and traveling companions, Roland and Diane Gaasch.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., March 16, 2010 at Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Tony Richburg officiating. Burial followed at 2 p.m. at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Air Force Enlisted Village, 92 Sunset Lane, Shalimar FL., 32579.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of all arrangements.