CW3 William E. “Bill” Bixby (United States Army) a resident of Skipperville died Monday, May 12, 2025 at his home with his family by his side. Bill was 78 years old.
Funeral services for CW3 Bixby will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, May 16, 2025, in the Chapel of Holman Funeral Home in Ozark with Reverend Tim Sewell officiating, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. Interment will follow in Skipperville Community Cemetery with Military Honors followed by a special flyby from the Friends of Army Aviation in Ozark.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Ozark Friday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Baker, Bill Baker, Heath Whatley, Wade Whatley, Branden Parkinson and Jonathan Tharpe.
Bill was born August 16, 1946 in Flint, Michigan, the younger child of Jack and Neva Bixby. His life was devoted to his Lord, his family, and his country. Bill loved flying, restoring cars, riding motorcycles and playing the guitar. His mother made up an album for him entitled “Our Mobile Bill”. He was constantly moving in anything mechanical. He inherited his love of flying from his dad who was a career pilot. Bill passed that love on to his son, Jack, also a career pilot. When Vietnam came along, Bill enlisted in the Army as a helicopter pilot. As part of the 1st Air Cavalry, he flew reconnaissance his first six months in Vietnam, and then became Chief Pilot for General Oscar Davis. Bill’s military honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Meal, the Air Medal, and the Air Medal with 32 Oak Leaf Clusters. He flew 832 combat flights in theater. After his time in the Army, Bill pursued other ventures, but he always returned to flying. He became Chief Pilot for Sundstrand Corporation in Rockford, Illinois, later International Technologies, was Captain at Midway Airlines in Chicago, Illinois, flying an MD80.
He owned and operated Bixby Aviation, Inc., and ended his aviation career in 2017 as a flight instructor for Flight Safety in Daleville, Alabama. When Bill was asked about the DFC, he would only say, “I went where I wasn’t supposed to go, did what I wasn’t supposed to do, and got out”. He was a proud member of the Disabled American Veterans in Ozark, serving as an officer for a time. In serving his Lord, Bill taught Sunday School classes and led Bible studies during his time in Illinois. His parents, his sister, Nancy and his brother-in-law, Bill preceded Bill in death.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlo Baker Bixby of Skipperville, Alabama; son, Jack and daughter-in-law, Sammi of Hardy, Virginia; daughter, Anna Parkinson and son-in-law, Branden of Enterprise, Alabama; seven grandchildren, Sarah Bixby Ayers and husband, Cody of Moneta, Virginia, Olivia Bixby of Hardy, Virginia, Braiden Parkinson, Tyler Jones, Abby Parkinson, Lilah Parkinson, and Neva Parkinson of Enterprise, Alabama; and two great grandchildren, Hadley Ayers and Bowen Ayers.
The family would like to thank Nicole of Wiregrass Homecare, Heather, Kathy, and other members of Southern Care Hospice Services for the loving and tender care given to Bill and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Alzheimer’s Association Alabama Chapter, Birmingham Office, 1 Metroplex Drive #230, Birmingham, Alabama 35209; or to Disabled American Veterans, 221 Williams Drive, Ozark, Alabama 36360.
ABBEVILLE… Lillian Edwina Bottoms Howerton, a resident of Abbeville, Alabama, passed away early Tuesday morning, May 13, 2025, at the home of her youngest daughter, Melissa, in Abbeville, Alabama. She was 86.
Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Brandon Turner at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday May 15, 2025, at Judson Baptist Church, 180 County Road 93 Abbeville, Alabama 36310. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery, 3924 County Road 46 Abbeville, Alabama. Visitation will begin at 3:00 P.M. prior to the funeral. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
Edwina was born in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 05, 1939, but moved to Dothan, Alabama as a baby where she was raised and resided much of her adult life. Edwina was a beloved foster parent for many of her young adult years, providing a loving home and family to numerous children, some of which she still has a very special relationship with. She later moved to Abbeville with her husband, Foy, in 1980 where she happily spent the remainder of her years enjoying country life.
Edwina was a retired school bus driver of 23 years with the Henry County School System in Abbeville. She always bragged that she had “The Best Kids” on her bus route. She loved them all! She enjoyed fishing and going to yard sales. She was an active member of the Abbeville Senior Center until most recently when her health began to decline. She loved her many friends she made while there.
Edwina was preceded in death by her parents, Fannie Mae Davis Bottoms and Leonard Lee (Lynn) Bottoms; her husband of thirty-three years, Foy Randle Howerton, and a bonus grandson, Justin Phillip Watford.
Edwina is survived by her three children, Jimmy Walters (Dawn) of Abbeville, AL, Sherri Burgett of Monticello, FL and Melissa Watford (Bob) of Abbeville, AL; twelve grandchildren, Ronnie Blackman (Toni) of Kinsey, AL, Jessica Kniehase (Rich) of Ocala, FL, Rachel Bratt (Sky) of Rehobeth, AL, Chris Burgett (Cindy) of Tallahassee, FL, Carissa Kerce (Woody) of Tallahassee, FL, Crystal Ruggless of Crawfordville, FL, Morgan Lisenby (Garett) of Abbeville, Al, bonus granddaughter, Ashlyn Fleming (Jacob) of Headland, AL, Carolina Cheek, Dakota Watford, Brandon Watford, Christopher Watford, all of Abbeville, AL; twelve Great grandchildren with two bonus great grandchildren; two brothers, Johnnie A. Davis and Donald E. Davis of Plant City, FL.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Wayne Morrison, Nicholas Cheek, Virgil Bolt, Sky Bratt, Rich Kniehase, and Jon Taylor.
EUFAULA… Tamyra Fanay Williams, a resident of Eufaula, Alabama, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at a Dothan hospital. She was 21.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 P.M. Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Oakey Grove Promise Land Church in Baker Hill, Alabama, with Pastor Ella K. Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Wright Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will be accepting flowers.
Ms. Williams was born in Dothan, Alabama to Christopher Lamar Williams and Janrica Taquail Fanay Kinsey. She lived most of her life in Baker hill, Alabama, until she moved to Abbeville, Alabama in 2021. She was a 2022 graduate of Abbeville High School. She graduated from Wallace Community College. She was not able to walk to receive her diploma, so her sister will walk in her honor to receive her diploma posthumous, on May 12, 2025. She lit up a room when she entered. She loved her family with all her heart. She was a member of the Oakey Grove Promise Land Church in Baker Hill, Alabama.
Preceding her in death is her great-grandmothers, Katherine Williams and Morbie McCray; and her uncle, Joshua Kincey.
Leaving to cherish her memories are her daughter, Malani Austin; her daughter’s father, Jadarrus Austin; her mother, Janrica Taquail Fanay Kinsey; her father, Christopher Lamar Williams; her sisters, Tyianna Jackson (Ju’wan), Tyquasha Williams, and Tykeriah Williams; her brother, Christopher Tyshawn Williams; her grandmother, Lola White Grubbs; her great-grandmother, Alice Kincey; her several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Timothy Lance McCardle, a resident of Cottonwood, Alabama died Tuesday May 13, 2025 at his residence at the age of 42.
Funeral services for Lance will be held at 3 PM Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with his brother, Brandon McCardle and family officiating. Burial will follow at Ramah Primitive Baptist Church cemetery in Cottonwood, Alabama. The family will receive friends from 1:30 PM until 2:45 PM at the funeral home prior to the service.
A lifelong resident of Cottonwood, Lance was a shining light in the lives of all who knew him. Born and raised in the town he held so dear, he graduated with pride from Cottonwood High School’s Class of 2000.With an infectious smile that could brighten even the darkest day, Lance had a rare gift for making others feel seen, valued and loved. His heart was especially tender towards animals and he found joy in caring for them and connecting with their quiet, loyal spirits. He was an avid arrowhead hunter who cherished time in the outdoors, where he felt most at peace. A gifted artist, Lance expressed himself through creativity, leaving behind pieces of his soul in every drawing. He had a special place in his heart for old western movies, drawn to their grit, loyalty and timeless charm. But above all, Lance was as real as they come, kind hearted, loyal and fiercely honest. He had a temper that was never cruel, just true, and everyone knew not to cross him because he stood firm in what was right. His strength, humor and unwavering sense of self left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Lance will be deeply missed, remembered for the joy he gave so freely and the strength he carried quietly, like a true cowboy at heart.
Lance is preceded in death by his father, Timmy McCardle; grandmother, Helen McCardle and his grandfather, Emmitt Gerald Lynn.
Survivors include his mother, DeeDee Lynn Smith (Michael); grandfather, BJ McCardle; brothers, Brandon McCardle (Maeghan), Devin Womack (Josie); niece, Charlie; nephews, Carter and Bishop; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Serving as pallbearers will be, Zack Morris, Eric Exum, David Ham, Brad Hatcher, Joseph Livingston, Brandon McCardle and Devin Womack. Cousins will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.
