William Haynes (Bill) Gandy, Sr.

January 3, 2015

William Haynes (Bill) Gandy, Sr., age 70 of Century, went home to be with his Lord on January 2, 2015, after a brief battle with kidney cancer.

Bill was born in Century on June 15, 1944, to John Lytle Gandy and Louise Gaskey Gandy and was the younger of two sons.  After graduating from Century High School in 1962, lettering in all four sports, Bill attended University of Arkansas at Monticello on a football and baseball scholarship, being inducted into the Wall of Fame and serving as captain of the football team in 1965. While at UAM, Bill earned AIC Linebacker and played on the championship baseball team in 1963 and championship football teams in 1963-65 and started 39 straight varsity college games.  He is a proud UAM Alumnus and later served as a recruiter for the college. Bill earned his teaching degree in physical education and started coaching at Milton High School in Santa Rosa County.   Bill continued his athletic adventures by playing in the World Series in the 1966 Slow Pitch Softball Division, baseball with the Southern Alabama Baseball League, basketball with the Phillips 66 Southern Regional Champions and with The Sportsman.  He was also an avid ping pong player and racketball player, participating in numerous tournaments.

He later earned his master of science degree from Troy State University. He stayed in the coaching and teaching profession for 42 years before retiring, working at Atmore (where he coached an undefeated football team in 1966) and Robertsdale (undefeated year in 1970), Jay, Century (head football coach and athletic director), Tate and Gulf Breeze. He was athletic director in Baldwin County and Robertsdale High School. He also coached many Little League baseball teams and had several undefeated years.  Fortunately for his children and grandchildren, all of his athletic experience and expertise paved the way for his coaching and volunteering in their athletic adventures as well. He served as a private investigator for many years, and he spoke on the coaching speaking circuit and served as a Jay Royals Football Radio announcer and a Northview Chiefs Football Cannon and Fireworks expert with his son-in-law.

Bill was active in his Poplar Dell Baptist Church family for several years, especially in the Brotherhood organization and assisting with BBQs and fish cook-outs. He was an honorary chapter member of FFA, an active member of Century Historical Society, Century Lion’s Club, Northview, Jay and Flomaton High School Quarterback Clubs, Santa Rosa County Juvenile Justice Council, National Teachers Association, Florida Educators Association, American Federation of Teachers, and the Santa Rosa Professional Educators.  Some of his professional achievements centered around being president and CEO of the SRPE for 11 years (where he helped start the SRPE Members’ Senior Scholarship Award), FEA Leadership Award, Who’s Who in America, Pride of Union Award, The Gold Award , and National and State Convention delegate. He founded many scholarships for local cancer, accident or catastrophe victims. Bill founded the Solon Lee Gandy Scholarship, a scholarship in memory of his son, given to a Flomaton and/or Jay High Senior,  and the Gandy Family Scholarship at Poplar Dell Church.  He was instrumental in the naming of the Gandyville Community to honor his grandfather, John Oxford Gandy and in the naming of Gandy Lane and Gandyville Road. He is known throughout the communities as being the one to go to to assist high school athletes in obtaining athletic scholarships from colleges and in helping young people who are seeking jobs.

Bill enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved to tell stories to his children and grandchildren’s friends while gathered around a bon fire, especially the one he is so famous for:  “The Three-Toothed Lady.” Bill enjoyed riding his motorcycle across the country and around his community. He started the family hunting club, Gandy’s Hunting Club in Old Texas, Alabama. He lived a full life and was loved immensely.  His favorite response to many of life’s situations:  “Trust God in All Things,” and “Stop and hear that lonesome whippoorwill.”

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. and Louise Gandy of Gandyville; and his son, Solon Lee Gandy.

Survivors include his wife, Louise Smith Gandy; brother, John (Faye) Gandy of Flomaton;son, Haynes Gandy (Suzanne) of Chumuckla; daughter, Vicki Baggett (Garry) of Bratt; daughter-in-law, Tara Gandy of Pensacola; his children’s mother, Brenda Godwin of Jay; step-son, Brandon Carroll (Davina) of Jay; step-daughter, Stephanie Hudson (Brad) of Century; grandchildren, Jace, Sawyer, Madison and Garrett Gandy of Chumuckla;  Corry and Lexxi Baggett of Bratt; Natalie and Luke Gandy of Pensacola; step-grandchildren, Carly and Christa Sanders, Cadee and Cathleen Carroll of Jay; and Savannah and Preston Hudson of Century; step-aunt, Addie Williams of North Carolina.  He also leaves behind a special niece, Belinda Black (E.J.) of Flomaton; nephews, cousins, and two very special lifelong friends, Floyd Adams of Atmore and Bill Bryan of Mississippi.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 7, at 2 p.m. at Poplar Dell Baptist Church with Revs. Mitch Herring, Fred Funches and Robert Gandy officiating. Guest speakers will be Rhonda Chavers, Robert Hudson, and Floyd Adams.  Burial will be in the Poplar Dell Baptist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Jace Gandy, Sawyer Gandy, Corry Baggett, Mike Gandy, Tracy Gandy and E.J. Black.

Honorary pallbearers will be the Century Lions Club,members of the Adult Sunday School Class of Poplar Dell Baptist Church, and Beta Sigma Phi Society and their husbands.

A special thank you to the doctors and staff at the Woodlands Cancer Center, West Florida Cancer Center and Covenant Hospice of Pensacola, and a special thank you to Debbie Hayes of the Jay Medical Center.

Friends may call on Tuesday, January 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Poplar Dell Baptist Church.

Petty Eastside Chapel has been trusted with all arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Poplar Dell Baptist Church Building Fund or to the Gandy Family Scholarship Fund.

Comments

9 Responses to “William Haynes (Bill) Gandy, Sr.”

  1. Roy Hammac on January 12th, 2015 8:54 am

    Bill was one of the “original survivors” of Coach Lewis’s 1961 Century High Football team. As a co-captain of that team his leadership by example helped me survive those tough practices. Bill gave 100% in every thing he did. He lived a “full life” doing what he loved. He will be missed.

  2. Ronnie and Anne Campbell on January 9th, 2015 11:03 am

    Bill has been a lifelong friend, and I will always think of him when I think of growing up in Century. He has done so much good for so many, and that is the way his life will be remembered by me and so many others. Know he will be terribly by all that have been close to him. Our condolences to his lovely and friendly wife Louise and all the family. Ronnie and Anne Campbell

  3. lLisa Bentley (Roberts on January 9th, 2015 5:23 am

    WE are so sorry to hear of your loss He was a great teacher,
    God be with your family

  4. Rick Gaskey on January 6th, 2015 10:08 pm

    Rest in Peace Bill, For now your are in the house of the Lord, with your Mom and Dad and Solon and your Grandfather. Even though you’re gone you won’t be forgotten and you’ll be missed by many. Our prayers are with your family and friends during these trying times may the Lord watch over them and bless them.

  5. Mickey Powell on January 6th, 2015 6:21 am

    Several years back my oldest son broke a arm playing in a summer league baseball game under Coach Bill Gandy. Who was the first person outside family to visit him at the hospital? Coach Bill Gandy. Years later my youngest son broke his back in an awful automobile accident and in a wheelchair today. Who was the first person outside family to visit him in the hospital? Coach Bill Gandy I ask Bill how did he know my son? He said he didn’t that he knew the Powell’s. Bill was a good man and a caring person and a good friend.

    Mickey Powell
    Flomaton

  6. Scobie Wilcoxon on January 5th, 2015 1:08 pm

    I had the opportunity and pleasure of knowing Bill and spoke with him briefly in a local store a while back.

    My condolences to all the members of Coach Gandy’s family.

    May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all during your time of loss.

  7. Roy Allen and Mother Patricia Allen Bales on January 5th, 2015 12:15 pm

    Rest in Peace Bill, my family and your family had so much in common. We will always treasure your dedication to athletics,

  8. Tony Powell on January 5th, 2015 8:00 am

    My ties with Bill go back many years. He was a good man, a talented man and a friend to everyone. My condolences go out to his extended family and friends and to all who will miss him.

  9. 429SCJ on January 5th, 2015 5:33 am

    I remember Coach Gandy. He was a good and balanced teacher. My condolences to his family.

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries