William G Ebersole
December 27, 2020
Bill Ebersole
William G. “Bill” Ebersole, a local World War II fighter pilot known for his aerial acrobatics, and the former publisher of the Gainesville Sun, died December 27, 2020, in Gainesville, Florida. He was 96.
Ebersole was born in Arcadia, Florida, on September 30, 1924, to Dora Williams Pelot and Glen Robert Ebersole. He was an Eagle Scout in high school before enrolling at the University of Florida in 1942.
Just a month into his second semester at UF, Ebersole was drafted into the Air Force, where he quickly advanced and joined the 462nd Squadron of the 506th Fighter Group in Iwo Jima, at the age of 20.
Ebersole flew 10 missions in the P-51D Mustang plane No. 619, named “Hon. Mistake," between May 13 and August 5 of 1945, earning four Distinguished Flying Crosses and completing his final trip one day before the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.
A short autobiography about Ebersole is online at 506thfightergroup.org.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Wanda Cowart, in 2013, and his son, William James, in 2017.
He is survived by his daughter, Glenda Ebersole Potts, his two grandchildren, Joseph Johnston Potts IV and Elizabeth Macon Potts, and his second wife, Anna Bailey Ebersole.
Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Ebersole Family.
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I was absolutely devastated to hear of Bill's passing last month. I had got to know Bill the last several years pretty well, as I became a historian for the 506th Fighter Group. Bill was very proud of his service during the war, as he should of been! After meeting Bill at the reunion in 2017, I was fortunate enough to talk to him many times over, including seeing him again several times (The photo uploaded is Bill and I at Jim Bercaw's funeral in Wilmington DE. Jim and Bill shared the same P-51 on Iwo). Bill was amazing human being, as he remembered so much about the war, but also had a really great sense of humor and overall such a kind heart. I'm so lucky I got to know him well, and my only regret is that we didn't talk more. I will miss our conversations. I am happy to have cemented his legacy though through some models of his P-51 that were manufactured. Bill, rest in peace, blue skies, and God Bless.
Today, I learned of Mr. Ebersole's passing in December 2020. My family and I are sorry to hear of his home going.
I served as Mr. Ebersole's Executive Secretary at the Gainesville Sun for 10 years, until after his retirement.
A few years later after my husband and I returned to Gainesville, Mr. Ebersole contacted me and invited me and my husband to lunch at his residence at The Villages where he introduced us to his new bride. We saw him only once since.
He was a wonderful boss and a very dear friend. May he rest in heavenly peace.
HEARTFELT