Obituary of William-Holcombe Bacon

<!-- DisplayFullObituaryText -->William Holcombe Bacon, (96) passed away on March 11, 2014. Born in Birmingham on December 19,1917, Bill was a lifelong resident of Birmingham, Alabama and dedicated his life to serving family, church, community and country. As an active member of Hunter Street Baptist Church since childhood, Bill served the Lord as a Sunday School leader, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Homecoming Committee and was often the Master of Ceremonies at banquets and special events. Few young people grew up at Hunter Street Baptist Church without learning to water ski from Bill Bacon at his Warrior River "place". He spent hours sharing his enjoyment of fishing and frog gigging with family and friends. In 1939 Bill was inducted into the Boy Scouts of America National Court of Honor and presented their highest award, the Gold Medal Award, for saving the lives of four people from drowning off the coast of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Honorably and proudly serving his country in the Army Air Corp in WW II, Bill was a gunnery instructor for the B 17 and the B 23 and was a flight cadet, where he served as squadron adjutant. Active in business in Bessemer, Alabama for fifty years, he owned Brooks Hardware Company, was Chairman of the Commercial Development Committee of the Bessemer Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Bessemer Kiwanis Club in 1962. During the twelve years Bill was in Gideons International, he spoke in area churches and helped to provide Bibles throughout the world. In Birmingham, Bessemer and Hoover, Bill contributed hours in volunteer service to his neighbors and the community. Many homes are more beautiful and functional because of Bill's willingness to share his talent, time and energy in construction and repair. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, and the love of his life, Ruby Stansell Bacon, his parents, Henry H. and Catherine Bacon, and his sister, Cathalene Bacon Bube. He is survived by his two children, Beverly Livingston (Dan) and Bill Bacon (Martha), five granddaughters, Marsha Bowers, Brenda Yoshikawa (Mako), Millie Rice (Bert), Amanda Thomas (Matt) and Heather Bryant (Rusty) and thirteen great-grandchildren. The lives of his family members and countless friends have been enriched by the selfless nature and generous spirit of Bill Bacon. Visitation with family and friends will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, March 15, 2014, with the celebration of his life to follow at 11:00 at Currie Jefferson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Bill be honored with donations made in his name to Hunter Street Baptist Church.