Nov. 27, 1926 –

Aug. 18, 2013

William Ash (Bill) Sapp passed away August 18, 2013 at his home in St. Petersburg, Fla., following lengthy health issues at the age of 86.

Bill was born on Nov. 27, 1926 and raised in Climax, Decatur County, Ga., where he started his career in the utilities industry with Georgia Power Corporation. He moved his family to Jasper, Fla. in 1957 to continue his career with Florida Power Corporation as a lineman. He resided in Jasper for seventeen years where he was a member of First Baptist Church. In 1974 he was elected Business Manager Council U-8 of IBEW and moved his residence to St. Petersburg, where he retired in 1992.

While in Jasper he became a Mason, served on the city council and was involved in many community activities. He loved to quail and deer hunt and enthusiastically played baseball at a very high level into his middle 40s. He then found that golf was just as satisfying as hitting a towering home run or throwing fastballs past bewildered batters at 90+ mph, and less painful; so his spare time was spent chasing that little white ball around for that elusive birdie. Recently he received the “Life Membership Award” from IBEW for his work of sixty-five years membership and service.

Bill was one of five children born to the late Levi Albert and Annie Mae Nelson Sapp of Climax.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents; daughter Sharon Sapp; brothers Hoyt Sapp, Carson Sapp, James Sapp and Guy Sapp.

He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-six years, Faye Sapp of St. Petersburg; sons Billy Sapp of Tomball, Texas, Danny Sapp of St. Augustine, Fla., and Wayne Sapp of St. Petersburg; one sister, Kathleen Gardner of Climax, Ga. He has ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service to celebrate the life of Bill Sapp on Friday Aug. 23, 2013 at the First Baptist Church, 207 2nd St NE, Jasper, FL 32052. Viewing starts at 10 a.m., with the memorial services beginning at 11, followed by graveside services. Immediately following the graveside services will be a reception at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Harry T. Reid Funeral Home, Jasper, Fla. is in charge of arrangements.