William Everett “Billy” Carlson
June 22, 2010
William H. “Billy” Carlson passed away Sunday, June 20, 2010.
Billy Carlson was born in Pensacola, Florida on January 29, 1980. He graduated from Tate High School in 1998 and attended Pensacola Junior College. Billy worked as a residential home designer at Today’s Homes, Billy was no ordinary employee. His wonderful artistic talent and dependability led his employer Jim Bozeman to remark that he felt like Billy was part of his family.
Billy’s ambitious pursuit of a career in acting and modeling led to a number of successes which included various photo shoots and spreads in local and regional publications, television commercials, runway modeling, and an appearance in the movie, “Final Destination”. His commitment to this career led to an unparalleled dedication to personal health and fitness. He could often be found in the gym three times a day, five to six days a week.
Billy’s love for refurbishing cars and trucks was first triggered by his father’s gift of a ’56 Ford pick-up. Subsequently, he built and renovated various show cars and hot rods. His two most favorite vehicles, a GMC truck and a Camaro convertible will be displayed at the viewing and funeral.
Along with his love for cars and automobiles, Billy loved to help others. There was no task too large or challenge too difficult for Billy. He was extremely creative, thoughtful, and resourceful. He loved his friends and family, and lit up a room whenever he entered. He would do anything for anyone. His self-sacrificial nature has resulted in a great multitude of friends and family that loved him so much.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents; Mr. Raymond William Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Melatt, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Everett Carlson, and his best friend; Brian Carter.
Survivors include his parents; Dennis and Peggy Carlson, his brother; Scott Carlson, his sister; Shelly James (Michael), his grandmother; Mary Jones, his great aunt and uncle; Mr. and Mrs. Billy Sam Newton, his great aunts; Mrs. Gervis Jones and Mrs. Mona Pond, numerous aunts and uncles; Jerry Jones, Larry Jones, Mike Jones, Tommy Jones, Doug Jones, Susan Escobar, Kathy Adams, Nancy Frank and Steven Carlson, his special friend; Regina McKinley along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment with Rev. David Wiggins officiating.
Serving, as pallbearers will be; Jason Baltimore, Beezer Beczakowski, Daniel Carnley, Daniel Cook, Dale Nelson and Jeff Wiggins. Honorary pallbearers will be; Scott Carlson, Steven Carlson, Jerry R. Jones, Larry Jones, Tommy Jones, Mike Jones and Doug Jones.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Our son will be a source of pride forever and we will miss him deeply.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Inge T. Bedard
June 22, 2010
Inge T. Bedard left this world after a long courageous battle with cancer on June 19, 2010. Born on January 4, 1933 in Koblenz, Germany to Karl and Martha Tillmann. Inge dedicated her life to being a supportive military wife, volunteer to the Red Cross and many military organizations. She loved cooking, traveling, and her greatest joy was her grandchildren. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Inge leaves behind her loving and adoring husband of 30 years; Robert, her son, Bernhard and wife Julie Becker of Palestine, Texas; daughter, Sylvia and husband Mark Dyke of Cantonment, Florida; stepdaughter, Susan and husband Robert Murphy of Los Angeles, California; stepdaughter, Patty and husband Richard Yates of Jacksonville, Florida; as well as her loving grandchildren; grandson, Christopher, wife Laura, and sons Andrew and Aidan Dyke of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; grandson, Sean Dyke of Lincoln, Nebraska; granddaughter, Ashley and husband Erik Myers of Gulf Breeze, Florida; brother, Rolf and wife Anelise Tillmann of Koblenz, Germany; sister-in-law, Rita Atwood and family of Lowell, Massachusetts. Inge was a truly genuine person and will be deeply missed.
The family wishes to express their appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Aaron Montgomery, Dr. James Smith and Dr. Thomas Tan for their caring and compassionate ways throughout the years. Words cannot express our indebtedness to all of you. To the wonderful people of Covenant Hospice, thank you for your kindhearted, tender and gentle care.
There will be a visitation Monday, June 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. with services to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North-Cantonment. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.
Faith Chapel Funeral Home North, 1000 Highway 29 South Cantonment is in charge of arrangements.
Fire Departments Respond To Molino Mobile Home
June 22, 2010
Fire stations from across the area were called to a single-wide mobile home in Molino late this morning.
A resident in the 6700 block of Sunshine Hill Road reported a possible electrical fire about 11:40 a.m. The first firefighters on scene reported an arcing electrical outlet and turned off the power to that outlet. No fire was reported.
The Molino, Cantonment, McDavid, Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue were originally dispatched to the call. All but the first units on scene were canceled.
Fire Leaves Mom, Three Children Homeless; Community Asked To Help
June 22, 2010
A Tuesday morning fire in Cantonment left a mother and her three children homeless, and now the community is being asked to help the family.
The fire was reported about 10 a.m. on block of Well Line Road and was was reported to be out at about 10:25 a.m. There were no injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire is believed to have started in the home’s master bedroom.
The American Red Cross is providing temporary assistance to the family.
The family lost almost everything in their rental home. Donations of clothing and household items for the family are being accepted at the First Baptist Church of Cantonment at 118 Morris Avenue Monday-Friday from 8-4:30, except 12-2 for lunch.. (No furniture donations, please.) The adult female wears a size 6. There are three boys who wear sizes 10-12, 8-10 and 3T-4T.
The Cantonment, Molino and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue responded to the blaze.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photo by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Piehl Sentenced To 20 Years For Shooting Over $40 Of Fake Crack Cocaine
June 22, 2010
A Molino man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison after being found guilty of shooting into an elderly woman’s home in a dispute over $40 in fake crack cocaine.
State Attorney Bill Eddins announced that Robert Grant Piehl, 42, of Wilder Road, Molino, was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years state prison as a mandatory minimum followed by 15 years of probation by Circuit Judge Terry Terrell. The 20 year mandatory minimum sentence was required under Florida’s 10-20-Life law as a result of the jury finding Piehl discharged a firearm.
Piehl was convicted on May 6 by an Escambia County jury of three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts of shooting into a building, and one count of criminal mischief.
Piehl bought what he thought was crack cocaine for $40 on April 15, 2009, on Barth Lane near Molino, according to his original arrest report. But when he discovered the crack was fake, he returned to confront the alleged dealer with a .22 caliber rifle.. He confronted two women in the front yard with the rifle and eventually fired several rounds through the front door of the residence near where the two women were standing, according to the State Attorney’s Office. Piehl then proceeded to the residence next door where he fired yet another round through a window.
As Piehl left the scene he was immediately apprehended by Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy. The .22 caliber rifle and ammunition were found in Piehl’s truck. Testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement discovered gun shot residue on Piehl’s hands, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
There was a second man with Piehl at the time his truck was stopped by deputies; charges against him were later dropped.
New Manager Named At Local International Paper Mill
June 22, 2010
International Paper announced Monday that Carl Gunter has been named mill manager of the Pensacola Mill. He will assume overall leadership responsibility for the facility, including the management of the mill’s $65 million environmental improvement project.
Gunter comes to Pensacola from the Red River Mill in Campti, La. He has 27 years of experience and has also worked at International Paper’s Pineville, La., Oswego, N.Y., and Riverdale (Selma), Ala. mills. Carl, his wife Martha, and their family will relocate to the Pensacola area.
“My family and I are looking forward to relocating to the area and learning more about the people and the community,” said Gunter.
In a related move, former Pensacola Mill Manager Chris Read has been named director, Manufacturing Global Center of Excellence; he and his family will relocate to IP’s global headquarters in Memphis, Tenn.
Chris has been with International Paper more than 18 years, having worked at the Riverdale (Selma), Ala., Mobile, Ala., Whakatana, New Zealand, and Eastover, S.C., mills prior to his assignment in Pensacola.
Former Century Resident Buck Showalter Could Manage The Orioles
June 22, 2010
Former Century resident Buck Showalter may be in the running for the manager’s job for the Baltimore Orioles.
Showalter, who is currently an analyst for ESPN, will meet with Orioles about the job on Wednesday, according to The Baltimore Sun. The Orioles dismissed Dave Trebley as their manager back on June 4; they are expected to announce their new manager by the All-Star break.
Showalter, who now lives in Dallas, had three different managerial stints in the majors with the New York Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Texas Rangers. Showalter first managed the Yankees from 1992-1995 for 581 games posting a 313-268 record finishing 45 games over .500 with a .539 win/loss percentage. He was voted 1994 AL Manager of the Year after the Yankees finished first in the AL East going 70-43. Unfortunately, there would be no post-season in 1994 due to the strike. He made it to his first post-season appearance in 1995, losing the divisional series 3-2 to the Seattle Mariners.
He moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks where he managed 486 games from 1998-2000 with a 250-236 record. His best season with the Diamondbacks came in 1999 when they finished first in the NL West going 100-62 and eventually losing in the divisional series 3-1 to the NY Mets. Showalter took over as Texas Rangers skipper in 2003-2006 posting a 319-329 record in 648 games. He was selected 2004 AL Manager of the Year with the Texas Rangers going 89-73 with a .549 win/loss percentage.
His father was a high school coach and principal, moving to Century in the late 1950’s. Showalter played Little League ball in Century in a thriving program. Century’s modern day Showalter Park is named after him.
Photo Gallery: Fire Destroys Nine Mile Apartments
June 22, 2010
One building of a Pensacola apartment complex was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon, leaving four families homeless and creating a traffic nightmare on Nine Mile Road.
The fire was reported at 3:03 p.m. at the Woodlands Apartments on Sunnehanna Boulevard near Nine Mile Road. The fire, which was contained to the single building, was reported under control at 4:35 p.m. There were no injuries reported.
Multiple fire stations from Escambia County and two units from Pace battle the blaze, including the Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.
The American Red Cross is assisting the four families displaced by the blaze, according to Sonya Daniel, Escambia County spokesperson.
The fire created traffic delays in the area, including a complete shutdown of Nine Mile Road in both directions near Pen Air Federal Credit Union. Nine Mile reopened about 4:15.
For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Summer Fun Continues At The Library With Aztec Dancer Today
June 22, 2010
Summer reading programs are continuing at libraries across the area, including a program with storyteller and dancer John Jaramillo today at the Century Branch Library.
Jaramillo will perform traditional Aztec dances from Mexico. He has performed regionally, nationally and internationally since 1983. His Pueblo Indian Native American heritage inspired his concept for Old Man Kokopeli – a masked theatre and puppetry production that was featured as part of the famed NYC International Fringe Festival in 1997.
Jaramillo has performed at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in New York City, Popejoy Center for the Arts at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, The Circle (theatre) at the American Indian Community House in New York City, Historic Christ Church in Philadelphia, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque and the Institute of American Indian Art Museum in Santa Fe.
Fans of the summer reading programs at the Century Branch Library will remember Jaramillo from a 2008 appearance.
The “Make A Splash” summer reading programs are going on each week at Century, Jay and Atmore libraries.
Schedules are listed below for each.
The Century Branch Library invites children to celebrate with summer library programs each Tuesday at noon.
- June 22 – John Jaramillo, storyteller and dancer
- June 29 – David Stephens, puppetry
- July 6, Ross Mudge, sing patriotic songs
- July 13, Beau Broomall, magician
For more information, contact the Century Branch Library at (850) 256-6217.
The Atmore Public Library, will celebrate summer reading with six weeks of fun and reading. All programs listed below will be at 10 a.m.
- June 25 – Pirate Day
- July 1 – Balloon Artist Day
- July 9: Awards Day
For more information, call the Atmore Public Library at (251) 368-5234.
The Jay Library will present their “Make a Splash – Read” summer programs each Monday (except July 5) continue through July 19 at 11 a.m. for 3-5 years old that are able to attend without a caregiver and at 1 p.m. for students who have completed K-5th grade.
- June 28 – Under the Sea for preschoolers; Shark Tales for K-5
- July 5 – Library closed for Independence Day
- July 12 – Surf’s Up for preschoolers; Island Luau for K-5
- July 19 – Rainy Days and Muddy Mischief for preschoolers; The Little Mermaid performed by Jacksonville State Unversity’s Children’s Theater for K-5
For more information, contact the Jay Library at (850) 575-6293.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Deputy Involved In Wreck, Cantonment Teen Uninjured
June 22, 2010
There were no serious injuries in a Monday wreck involving an Escambia County Sheriff’s cruiser and two other vehicles, including one driven by a North Escambia teen.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Angela Maddox, 61, of Pensacola was stopped due to traffic on Westside Drive’s southbound side in 1990 Lincoln. A marked Sheriff’s Office cruiser driven by Robert R. Way, 48, was southbound in the northbound lane with its emergency lights activated. That’s when, FHP said, Maddow turned into the path the Sheriff’s cruiser at 4:24 p.m..
After the impact, Maddox’s vehicle collided with a 2003 Ford driven by Alyson Shoemaker, 17, of Cantonment. Shoemaker was also stopped due to traffic on Westside Drive near Nine Mile Road. Shoemaker and her passenger, Britany N. Ford, 16, of Pensacola, were not injured. Shoemaker’s vehicle had an estimated $50 in damage, according to the FHP. Shoemaker was not at fault in the accident, according to the FHP.
Maddox received minor injuries and was transported to West Florida Hospital. Way was not injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol charged Maddox with improper change of course.