Griffin, William E. (Bill) of Jacksonville, FL died at age 91. He was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in University Hospital on April 17, 1925 and grew up in the small community of Holt, Michigan. Immediately following high school graduation, he left to serve in the US Army during WWII. His war time service was spent in Europe where he attained the rank of Sergeant. At the conclusion of WWII he was discharged and returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jane Budd, on August 18, 1946. She was the love of his life and they were blessed with three children, 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Following 3 years of college and time employed in the family music business, he joined Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. Advancement brought him to the Jacksonville Zone in 1959 (assignments in South Georgia and throughout Florida) as a department head in Jacksonville. Bill retired in 1980, 37 years ago.
Bill wanted most of all to be remembered as a man of God. His early retirement allowed Betty and him to more fully devote time to God’s work through their church, Fort Caroline Christian Church. He enjoyed singing and sharing the gospel story by traveling in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina with the Gospelaires (FCCC quartet).
Bill was preceded in death by his bride of 70 years on September 10, 2016. Survivors include his daughters Annette Marie Manley (Martin) and Amy Jo Monson (Stephen) and his son William S. Griffin (Candice). His joy was knowing that all of these plus their children knew the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.
Visitation is 6:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, April 12, 2017 at Fort Caroline Christian Church with Pastor Blake Kotur officiating. A private family interment will follow in the Veteran Section of Arlington Park Cemetery. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be given to the Fort Caroline Christian Church Mission fund.
Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of William Elmo Griffin, please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
