William (Bill) J Vinson, Jr, 91, passed away Monday, November 7, 2016.
He leaves behind his loving wife of 70 years Jenny, daughter Vicki Younger and son Robert Vinson, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and he will be missed greatly.
Bill graduated from Miami Senior High School class of 1943 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. During World War II he served in the Pacific Theater as an Aviation Photographer and mapped Bikini Atoll prior to the nuclear bomb test on that island. He later served during the Korean War and remained in the United States Navy Reserves until 1954.
He was a photo engraver for the Miami Herald for 19 years. He moved to Winter Park, Fl in 1967 and opened Vinson Hardware and Paint. In 1991 he moved to Thomasville, Ga and was employed as a plantation restorer at Melhanna, a former plantation turned bed and breakfast. Upon retiring in 2000 he moved to Satellite Beach and lived very close to his former barracks in the Banana River Naval Air Station (now Patrick Air Force Base).
Bill was a Lions Club member for 40 years and a member of the Satellite Beach Lions Club. He also was a dedicated blood donor donating 40 gallons over his lifetime.
He recently celebrated his 70th wedding anniversary married to the love of his life, Jenny.