William J. Horner, Jr., age 91, passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was affectionately known as the “Mayor of Poverty Pocket”. The son of the late William and Matilda Horner, he was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, spending his youth running the back roads and backwaters of north Florida. Bill proudly served this great nation as part of the Greatest Generation in the US Army Air Corps as a B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret gunner. His aircraft was shot down in WWII over Italy and with the help of Italian resistance fighters, eluded capture by the Germans. After proudly serving his country, Bill attended Florida State University the first year it was co-ed. He graduated with a degree in Political Science from FSU, and then went on to earn his Juris Doctor at the University of Florida. After college, he worked for the FBI with assignments in New York City, Minneapolis, and Sioux Falls, where he met the love of his life, Joan Hill. Bill and Joan married in 1957 in NYC and moved to Tallahassee where Bill worked for the Florida Sheriff’s Bureau and then practiced law inGainesville.The advent of the space race brought the family to Eau Gallie in 1960, then to Titusville in 1966 where Bill joined NASA. Bill retired from NASA in 1981 as Deputy Chief of Security. Bill was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. In his retirement, he enjoyed fishing, gardening, and tinkering in the back yard. He was a regular contributor to the newspaper with letters to the editor where he shared his opinions and views.Bill was predeceased in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan, and six children: Hillary Arena (Bobby), Mark Horner, Shannon Fisette, Kit Harrington (David), Matthew Horner (MaryAnne) and Jennifer Horner; and six grandchildren: Brittany Harrington, Christopher Horner, Matthew Horner, Cody Fisette, Alex Horner, and Nicholas Arena; and Bill’s sister, Dena Geraghty and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was a devout Catholic and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Florida Bar for more than 55 years. Bill was a member of VFW Post 4228. Bill was a champion of justice and equality and was often found defending the poor and under served, or just someone who needed a helping hand.
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