William S. Randall

William Bill Stacy Randall, 93, of Panama City, died on Thursday, January 7, 2010.Bill was born July 18, 1916, in Newark, NJ, to the late George John Randall and Ada May Hammel of Orange, NJ. As a boy, Bill delivered sales circulars for his father and worked at the corner AP. In 1933, Bill started his 45-year career at Prudential in the mail room. He attended night school at NYU and played the trombone and bass in dance bands in NYC. He graduated with a degree in Business Finance in 1939, and then served in the Army from 1941-1945. While stationed in Newport, RI in 1942, he married Eloise Chase and started a family. After the War, he returned to Prudential as a comptroller and was eventually the Director of Accounting and Financial Research for the entire company at the time of his retirement in 1982. While working for Prudential, he and his family lived in Rhode Island 1942-1945, New Jersey 1945- 1948, Missouri 1948-1953, Texas 1953-1964 and Massachusetts. During these years Bill also earned a CLU and MBA and was active in church and community outreach.Bills generosity and commitment to public service were important parts of his character, and when he moved to Panama City Beach after his wifes death in 1987, he became a veritable community warrior. In 1996, he married Dorothy Daffin and they joined forces helping the local community. He served as Site Coordinator for IRS - VITA Program; Chairman and member of the DUI Advisory Committee for the 14th Judicial Circuit; President, Directory, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Chemical Addition Recovery Effort CARE Board; Director and Treasurer of the Community Health Task Force; President and Treasurer of PCB AARP. In addition, Bill was a Bay Patriot and an active member of the Republican Executive Committee and Grace Episcopal Church. For his activism, Bill was awarded the PruCare Award and Jefferson Award in 2009. He was a friend, patriarch, mentor, cheerleader, financial planner, and comforter to friends and family. Mr. Randall was preceded in death by his wife, Eloise May Chase Randall; son, Wayne Chase Randall; sister, Jeanette Pickel; brother George Randall; sister, Mary Rebecca Freideman; grandson-in-law, Chris Gailfoil.Mr. Randall is survived by his beloved wife Dorothy Daffin Randall. He is also survived by his daughter Susan Nelson and Hilding of Panama City; son, Jonathan William Randall and Denise of Plymouth, MA; brother, Harris Bogart Randall and Delores of Meridan, CT; loving daughters-in-law, Anne Daffin Harris and Carl of Panama City; Melinda Dafinn Henningfield and Wayne of Medford, OR. He was also survived by numerous grandchildren: Joseph Randall and Yumi; Amy Randall and Mathew Reed; William Nelson and Jenny; Michelle Jensen and Vin; Ingrid Nelson; grandnieces, Mary Jeanne Randall Gennette, and Jacqueline Randall Zamboni; great grandchildren: Blake Randall, Zeiler and Zaria Randall-Reed, Claire and Henry Nelson.A memorial service for Bill Randall was held January 11 at Grace Episcopal Church in Panama City Beach, Florida. Graveside Service will be held, Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 1:00 PM at St. Marys Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, the Rev. Pamela Mott presiding. Bill will be laid to rest with Eloise May Chase Randall, Edna Almy Chase and Senator Joseph Dennis Chase.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871-2113.