William H Blakeney, Jr.

William Hubbard Blakeney Jr “Bill”, 78 of Gainesville Florida, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2022. His battle with diabetes and medical conditions in recent years showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. William was a loving and caring dad, grandfather and friend. May his loving heart be a beacon of light for everyone who knew him.

William Hubbard Blakeney Jr was born to the late William Hubbard Blakeney & Flora Griffiitts a Doctor and homemaker, in Alabama in August of 1943. William attended Geneva High School and Graduated from Dothan High School, where he played the trumpet, He studied Organic Chemistry at Gulf Coast State College 1971-1972, Studied Pre-Medicine at the University of Alabama 1972-1975 and Studied Microbiology at the University of Florida. William was in the Navy and served boots on the ground in the Vietnam War. William was a Patient Care Assistant at UF Health Shands Hospital from September 1975 - April 1999. William moved to Houston Texas to accept a teaching position at Francis Elementary School, where he taught first grade for many years before retiring in Gainesville Florida. William was a Voluntary caregiver at Shands Rehab Hospital and Malcome Randal VA Medical Center.

He enjoyed scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, camping, spending time with his family, watching Gator football and vacations. William was an educator at heart. He was kind and softly spoken, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small. He will be dearly missed, never forgotten and in our hearts for eternity.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the Gator Amps community affiliated with a global Range of Motion Project in memory of him, you can click on the link below to donate. William was a huge advocate for this community as he was an amputee himself. https://www.rompglobal.org/donate/

William was blessed with a large family and survived by his children Dawn Austin and spouse Roland Austin, Melissa Travis and spouse Andrew Travis, Xanthe Akey and spouse Matthew Akey, William Blakeney III. Survived by his siblings Charles Blakeney and spouse Peggy Blakeney, Lynn Davenport and spouse Paul Davenport, Tonya Blakeney and preceded in death by her husband and his brother Jason Blakeney. Survived by his Grandchildren Michael Taylor and spouse Briana Taylor, Zachary Taylor and spouse Amanda Taylor, Kylie Modderman and spouse Colby Modderman, Lacey Taylor, Mia Blakeney, James Holecek and spouse Cayla Metzger-Holecek, Addisyn Blakeney, Kaitlyn Blakeney, Logan Akey, Dallas Austin, Jada Austin, Shelby Starks, Amber Austin and husband Nate Austin, Lizzie Austin and spouse Sean Austin and preceded by death Noah Austin and Chris Austin. Survived by his Nieces and Nephews Benjamin Blakeney and spouse Deana Blakeney, Dallas Blakeney and spouse Jennifer Blakeney, Johnathan Blakeney, Rebekah Blakeney, Chase Blakeney, Jeremy Sowell, Jessica Sowell, Amanda Smith and spouse Bobby Smith. Survived by his great nieces and nephews Bryn Blakeney, Sonsa Blakeney, Landon Blakeney, Mackenzie Blakeney, Kaitlyn Smith and Taylor Smith. Survived by his great grandchildren Mikey, Brylynn, Kinsley, Olivia, Colton, Peyton, Leyth, Tatiana, Titan, Lily, Edda, Jon, Sofia, Cynthia, Jeremy, Annika, Emma.