William Barnett “Bill” Birdwell, age 76, passed away Wednesday, January 12, 2022, in Gainesville, GA, after a short illness. Memorial services will be held in Gainesville at a future date. Bill’s ashes will be spread over the waters at Shell Point Beach, FL, the place he loved, in late spring.
Bill was born in Tonopah, NV on February 28, 1945, to Guy and Hazel Birdwell. He was married to Nancy Goode Birdwell, the love of his life, for 32 years. As the son of a Methodist minister who moved often, Bill grew up in multiple small Texas towns. He graduated from Marfa High School; received his bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Texas El Paso; and his MBA at Texas Christian University.
Bill served his country as a pilot in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was assigned to pilot the KC 135Q in the SR71 Blackbird program.
During his 52-week pilot training program, Bill formed close bonds with the men that he trained with, especially Malcolm Emerson, who was like a brother to him. He maintained contact with those in his pilot training program through reunions held over recent years. He treasured this time with his Air Force buddies, telling stories from their time serving their country. Bill’s passion for flight and his country continued throughout his life.
Bill worked in the Corporate Credit Union industry for most of his adult life, beginning in Texas, then on to Tennessee, and California until retiring as CEO of Southeast Corporate Credit Union in Tallahassee, FL in 2010.
Bill and Nancy moved to Shell Point Beach, located just south of Tallahassee, in 2004, prior to Bill’s retirement. Shell Point quickly became Bill’s favorite place on earth. He grabbed hold of every moment he could spend enjoying fishing, boating, and nature photography. If he wasn’t out on the water fishing on his boat he named CU Later, you would find him on his dock cleaning the fish he caught so he could have them for dinner, getting ready to take his grandson fishing, tinkering in his workshop, or out photographing the beautiful seabirds found in the area year-round. He and Nancy lived in Shell Point Beach for almost 14 years, where they had many close friends that were like family to them. You would often find Bill out fishing with, or just talking “guy talk” with his buddies Jerry, Julian, Jesse, Phil, and Jody.
Bill and Nancy moved to Gainesville, GA in 2017 to be closer to their daughter Hillary and grandchildren, Wyatt, and Avalynn. They did not want to miss Wyatt’s and Avalynn’s growing up years. Here they gained another group of special friends who lived in their wonderful Cresswind on Lake Lanier neighborhood. Bill and his neighbor and best buddy, Mark, enjoyed drumming up new projects or just hanging out in Bill’s workshop, riding bikes together, and going out on Lake Lanier in Mark’s boat. He also enjoyed spending time with neighbors and friends Dan and Jack. Bill loved spending time with, and taking photographs of his grandson Wyatt, who played football for Chestatee High School, and his granddaughter, Avalynn who is a cheerleader for the Jr War Eagles. He would love having long talks on the phone with his son, Robert, who lives in Texas, and was so happy that Robert and his wife Oksana were able to come to Gainesville for a visit last summer.
All who knew Bill loved him. He was a faithful servant to Jesus Christ, a loving and devoted husband, a precious father and grandfather, and a kindhearted and steadfast friend. Bill will be missed by many, but his family is comforted with the knowledge that he is at home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Survivors include Bill’s wife, Nancy Birdwell, his son, Robert (Oksana) Birdwell of Leander, TX, his daughter Hillary (Jeremy) Small of Gainesville, GA, his grandchildren Wyatt, Avalynn, Belka, Scarlett, and Violett, his sister Marie Bell, his brother Guy Lynn (Valerie) Birdwell, his sister-in-law, Pamela Taylor, and many much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill would also want to mention his long-time Texas friend Ric Panzera.
In addition to his parents Guy and Hazel Birdwell, Bill was preceded in death by his sister Clara Morris, his brother-in-law Eddie Morris, and his brother-in-law Stan Bell.
For those who wish to make a memorial contribution in Bill’s honor, the family suggests that it be made to one of the following:
Hooked on Heroes, a charity which provides free fishing trips on the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico to veterans (hookedonheroes.com)
Waves of Grace, a charity which provides cancer patients in the midst of battling cancer, and their families, a restful and renewing week at the beach. (www.waves-of-grace.org),
or to the charity of your choice.
“The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” Deuteronomy 33:27
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
