William Mcelwain, Jr

William Johnson McElwain Jr. (Bill), born November 10, 1924 in Tallahassee, Florida to William Johnson McElwain, and Sarah Leona Cates McElwain; passed away at his home surrounded by his Granddaughter and his Caregivers on July 31, 2022 at the age of 97.

Bill grew up in Tallahassee and graduated from Leon High School. He attended college at the University of Florida, and after his freshman year he entered the U.S. Navy during the remainder of World War II. After his release from active duty, he returned to the University of Florida and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry. In May of 1951 he was offered a job at Southern Bell Telephone Company in the Engineering Department. He worked for Southern Bell until his retirement in December of 1983. In 1960, when he was transferred from Gainesville to Pensacola, he met Aleta Ward Bishop and in November of 1961 they would marry and blend their two families together.

Bill and Aleta spent many of their retired years traveling and creating adventures around the United States and all over the world. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and hunting. He was also a very active member of his community and volunteered many hours for Northwest Florida Blood center (won a trip to Peru for donating 100 Units of blood), was a Life Member of The Telephone Pioneers of America, The Pensacola Exchange Club, and a member of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church.

Bill is survived by his Wife, Aleta; a daughter, Karen; his Granddaughter, Vanessa Yacuzzo Boggs and husband Brian; Great-Grandchildren, Trenton Boggs and Wife McKenzie, and Brandon Boggs, as well as his Great-Great-Grandchildren, Kolt and Kage Boggs. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Sarah; sister, Melba Hunt; daughter, Nancy Yacuzzo, Stepson Hank Bishop, and Stepson Billy Bishop.