Obituaries, Saturday, May 25, 2024

Published 7:30 pm Friday, May 24, 2024

William Hattaway Brantley

Born on November 25, 1940, Bill, or Billy as he was called by friends and family, was raised in Brundidge, though he took every opportunity he could to visit Troy to see his grandparents and his many Brantley cousins and friends there. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated from the University of Texas. He stayed in the Austin area a few more years before moving to Birmingham in 1966, where he met and fell in love with Neila Cantey. They were married for almost 50 years, until Neila’s death in April of 2018.

William Hattaway Brantley

Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Dorothy Brantley; and two brothers, TK Brantley and Jim Brantley. He is survived by his children, Kate Barry (Arthur), Chip Brantley (Elizabeth); his grandchildren, James Henry Barry, Will Barry, Angus Brantley, Sutton Barry, and Nicholas Brantley; his sister, Jill Miles; his brother, Rhett Brantley (Mamie); many cousins and nieces and nephews; and his cherished orange tabby, Anna June, the last in a long line of cats he raised and loved over the years.

He spent his early career years in the brokerage industry at First Birmingham, Merrill Lynch, and Porter, White & Yardley. But he was an entrepreneur at heart, which led him to eventually help launch a technology company, Time Domain Corporation, in Huntsville, where he worked for 15 years.

In his retirement, Bill spent his time researching family history and writing stories. He loved a good story — telling one, listening to one. He regaled his grandchildren with countless tales of the mythical land of Nibblefish Creek, and he could talk for hours about Murphree Street, in Troy, or the summers he spent as a young man driving a wheat combine out west.

Bill enjoyed Alabama football, just about every animal out there, boiled peanuts, and a good, cold beer. He was kind and warm and gentle, and he rolled with the punches. After macular degeneration forced him to stop driving in his late 60s, he became a religious walker, often trekking from home to Crestline Village, where he would spend the whole day with a community of friends at the O’Neal Library.

The family would like to thank the staff of Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, as well as Lorain Key, Sandra Zinnerman, Keochia Zinnerman, Crystal Smith, Charlean Cook, and Chandra Cook — of Helping Hand Services — for their loving care.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 30, 4-6 p.m., at the Alabama Peanut Company, 2016 Morris Ave, Birmingham, AL 35203.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Desert Island Supply Co., 4000 Third Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222; or the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, 300 Snow Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209.

William Gibson Crawley

William Gibson Crawley, age 55, passed away peacefully and surrounded by love on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital at Bay Medical Ascension in Panama City, FL.  He was born June 18, 1968 in Opelika, AL.  He graduated from Northview High School in Dothan, AL in 1986 and continued on to Auburn University, graduating in 1992 with a Bachelor of Industrial Design Degree.

William Gibson Crawley

Will held various positions in Industrial Design and Property Management, but his most rewarding job was co-parenting his two daughters.

He was preceded by grandparents : Ferrell and Gyzelle Gibson of Brundidge, AL, William B. and Mary Crawley of Banks, AL, Stepmother, Norma Greer Crawley of Dalton, GA, and Uncle Jim Crawley of Troy, AL.

He is survived by:

His parents, Donna E. Gibson of Panama City Beach, FL and William “Bill” Crawley of Dalton, GA, his daughters, Ferrell Ann Crawley of Brooklyn, NY,  Fiona Elaine Crawley of Atlanta, GA and their mother Ruth Ann Crawley of Atlanta, GA, his sister, Mary Greer Crawley of Dalton, GA his brother Matthew James Crawley of Las Vegas, NV, his Uncle Jack and Aunt Annette Crawley of Brundidge, AL, Aunt Anne Crawley of Troy, AL and his Uncle Tommy and Aunt Linda Gibson of Brundidge, AL.

He enjoyed fly fishing, camping, wood working and jewelry design in his spare time.  He loved cooking, especially barbecue, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his daughters who were is pride and joy. He always cheered on his Auburn Tigers and had fond memories from his time there.

A memorial service will be held June 1, 2024 at 1:00 at the Banks Baptist Church Annex Building. (31 East Troy Street, Banks, AL 36005) The family will welcome family and friends to gather to share in their memories of Will. Lunch will be provided.

Burial will be in the Banks Cemetery in Banks, AL, a short distance away, for those who wish to visit the graveside for a time of reflection after the memorial.