Our beloved father William Ralph Gann, Sr passed away peacefully in his home on November 28, 2023, at the age of 85. He was born May 3, 1938, in Fayette, Alabama.
Preceded in death by his loving wife Shirley Gann, parents Mabel Baus and Thomas Gann, brother, Ray Gann and Son-in-Law Deihl McKendree.
He is survived by his children William Gann, Jr. (Sheila), David Gann (Shari), Thomas Gann (Robin) and daughter Tammy McKendree. Brother Rayford Gann (Maria) and sister Ruby Polk, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Ray Williams and a sister-in-law, Faye Morris and many nieces and nephews.
He proudly served his nation in the U.S. Army, 11th Airborne Division being a paratrooper which he loved and talked about fondly. Bill worked as a storeroom manager for Metal Container Corporation until he retired after 30+ years. Bill was a faithful member of Blanding Boulevard Baptist Church even after he was not physically able to attend. After retirement he enjoyed bowling (4 days a week), watching college football, especially his favorite team Alabama and western movies. He loved his family more than anything and loved beating them in Phase 10.
Blanding Boulevard Baptist Church
Blanding Boulevard Baptist Church
Jacksonville Memory Gardens
Ralph jones
November 29, 2023, 6:03 pm
My thoughts and prayers at this time for the family.
Chuck & Marie Marshburn
November 29, 2023, 6:10 pm
We will miss you my friend (our Sunday lunch after church) you will forever be in our heart. Praying for the family comfort and peace
Ray Williams
November 29, 2023, 8:33 pm
Bill hug my beautiful baby. Dolores Williams and tell her I said I miss her more then words can say You had more love ones then I can even imagine waiting for you when you stepped on heavens streets of Gold You will be truly missed love you….Ray Williams
Sharon Lanier-Denning
November 30, 2023, 8:22 pm
Mr Bill, I love you dearly. I truly missed you when I moved back to North Carolina. I think of you and Shirley often. Y’all truly touched my heart. I’ll never forget Shirley watering the silk flower I made her. Oh how we laughed. Can wait to see y’all again on the streets of gold.
Shala Dean
November 30, 2023, 10:49 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you Tammy & your family at this difficult time.Love you,Shala
Shala Dean
November 30, 2023, 10:52 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.Love you Tammy
Charlene Lane
December 1, 2023, 7:27 am
Love and prayers 🙏❤ for the family. Brother Gann was a huge blessing to all who knew him.
Ronnie Gann
December 1, 2023, 1:56 pm
Uncle Ralph you will be dearly missed. You are a man of integrity, kindness, and fairness. Thank you for the years of coaching Pee Wee League baseball in the 1960s and 1970s in Green Cove Springs. The preacher spoke of you competivness over the years, but had no idea that you have been competitive all of your life. I have fond memories of you coaching me in baseball and your bass fishing. You always said goodbye with, ” I love you boy.” We love you and rest easy in Heaven. God bless
Lisa Gann Gilbert
December 2, 2023, 11:38 pm
Dear Uncle Ralph. You will be dearly missed. A true man with a kind loving heart. You always had kind words for me and would always tell me you loved me. I’m happy that you called and ask me to please come to the family reunion. I Love you Uncle Ralph. ❤️
Rayford Gann
May 4, 2024, 9:20 am
Happy Birthday brother , i been thinking about all the times we growing up you, Ray and me boy we had some good times and a lot of hard times also, bud made better men out of us , i think of you almost ever week , i am glad we spent your last 1yr and half meeting and having lunch together. l love you and miss you very much your brother Rayford.
Rayford Gann
May 5, 2024, 5:33 pm
Well it’s been almost 6 months since you passed, sure miss having lunch with you ever other week. I miss you very much. think of you very often. ever one is doing ok as for as i know, well have to go i love you very much and miss you , your brother Rayford.