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Bill Cantrell Receives Molino Servant’s Heart Award

William (Bill) Cantrell was awarded the second annual Servant’s Heart Award Sunday morning at CrossFaith Church in Molino.

The community service award was presented to Cantrell for his unselfish dedication to the Molino and Cantonment communities.

Cantrell, 59, has been active in the Cantonment Sports Association,  having coached little league baseball for several years. At Christmas, he provides toys for the needy. He helps when someone’s electricity is being turned off. He provided food for the needy.

“Whatever is needed in any area, he is the first to step forward and either write a check or help organize a fund raiser, CrossFaith Pastor Rob Hines said. “But he always does it in all humility letting no one know, if possible, that he is the one helping.”

He has a passion for playing musical instruments and singing, gospel and blue grass being his favorite music. He has been known to play music at Fran’s Diner with a group of friends on Saturday mornings as well as using his talent at church.

He attended 1-10th grade in Escambia County, including Tate High School, and graduated high school in Arkansas. But his family quickly returned from Arkansas, and Cantrell has been busy ever since serving his community in Molino, Cantonment and Pensacola.

While at Tate he played football and baseball, being named most outstanding football player several years and making the all county teams for both baseball and football. While attending Parkin High School in Arkansas, he was captain of the football team and was also selected for the Northeast Arkansas all-star team, class Vice-President and was named Mr. Parkin High School.

“It doesn’t matter what you own, how much money you have in the bank, how talented or educated you are, or how many people you know. If God calls you to have a servant’s heart, He will make a way for you to accomplish what He has put on your heart to do,” Hines said.

“A servant’s heart has more to do with your relationship with God than it has to do with your desire to be recognized for your good deeds. Having a servant’s heart is one of the most beautiful expressions of love I know. It’s showing your love to another human being by simply being who God intended you to be. It’s about seeing a need and fulfilling it without any strings attached…it’s about showing Christ’s love through your actions and words.”

Cantrell and his wife Judy have been married for almost 40 years. They have two children, Jason Cantrell and Charlene Etheridge; and five grandchildren Austin, Wade, Brian, Melody and Ben.

Last year’s recipient of the first CrossFaith Church Servant’s Heart Award was Frances Hampton from Fran’s Diner in Molino.

Pictured above: William (Bill) Cantrell receives the CrossFaith Servant’s Heart Award for community service Sunday morning at CrossFaith Church in Molino from Pastor Rob Hines. Pictured inset: Cantrell and his wife Judy. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.