More detail on this person: It is with great
sadness that the family of William Alfred
Rathbone announces his passing on Oct. 1, 2017,
at the age of 88, following a long battle with
cancer. Bill was born on April 28, 1929, at
Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville. He grew up in
Jacksonville with his mother, Florence Daniel, at
the Cedar River Fish Camp, which became known
as the Duck Pond. He attended Lee High School,
and then earned a bachelors' degree from the
University of Florida, an M.B.A. from Maryland,
and a Juris Doctor (law degree) from Florida.
Bill's military career after college was a
distinguished one. He served as an Army
officer for 23 years. He fought in Korea and in
Vietnam (two tours of duty), where he flew an
attack helicopter and his commendations include
two Purple Hearts. He also attended the U.S. Army
War
College, commanded the Nahbollenbach Army
Depot in Germany, and led helicopter training at
the
U.S. Army Aviation School in Fort Rucker,
Alabama. After retiring from the Army as a full
Colonel, he returned to the University of Florida
and completed his law degree. His legal career
includes serving as a Public Defender in
Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Palatka. Bill most
recently lived with his daughter Susan in the
Davis Shores neighborhood in St. Augustine. He
was an enthusiastic Gators fan, and loved animals,
adopting two dogs from the local shelter. Bill is
survived by his three children, Bill Rathbone Jr.
(Polina) of Cary, North Carolina, Nancy Taylor
(Steve) of Charlotte, N.C., and Susan Rathbone;
grandchildren, Paul, Andrew and Katie Taylor, and
Steven, Lily, Sophie and Diana Rathbone; and his
cousin, Carolyn Stephens of St. Simons Island,
Georgia. Bill will be interred at Arlington
National
Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of a
Memorial service, there will be an Open House
noon-3 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Rathbone residence.
Donations may be made in his name to SAFE Pet
Rescue of St. Augustine or the Humane Society.
Craig Funeral Home, Crematory and Memorial Park
(
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 10/16/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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