ABERNATHY, William O. "Abby," 92, of Bowling Green, Fla., went to be with the Lord Sunday, March 26, 2006, at the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) in Washington, D.C. Mr. Abernathy retired in 1956 as a master sergeant with the U.S. Marine Corps after a 23-year active duty military career and served during World War II. He also retired from Nicholson Supply Co. in Wauchula and Bowling Green after working there 20 years. He was a founding member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, Bowling Green. Abby was an elementary school reading volunteer three days a week while living in Bowling Green. He enjoyed encouraging the young to learn. Honored by dignitaries and fellow servicemen, Abby completed 10,000 miles of walking during the first four years in Washington. He was a Mason. Mr. Abernathy was preceded in death by his wife, Marcelle Francony Abernathy. Surviving family includes his sons and their wives, William A. (Sandra) Abernathy, Bowling Green, and Charles O. (Mella) Abernathy, Bristow, Va.; grandson and wife, John (Linda) Abernathy, Atlanta, Ga.; sister, Hattie Mae Byars, Mableton, Ga.; and local nieces and nephew, Claudeene Herron and Joseph Smith, both of Bowling Green, and Jane Moegerle, Lakeland. His extended family includes nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The Abernathy family would like to thank the staff of King Health Center at AFRH, Washington, D.C., for their kindness and care during his stay there. A funeral service celebrating his life will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, March 31, at First Baptist Church of Bowling Green with John P. Goodloe Sr., chaplain AFRG, Washington, D.C., bringing the message. Burial will be in Bowling Green Cemetery with full military honors. The family prefers, if you wish, contributions to the Immanuel Baptist Church, Bowling Green. The family will gathered with their friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Brant Funeral Chapel, 404 W. Palmetto, Wauchula. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Brant Funeral Chapel, Wauchula, (863) 773-9451.

Published in TBO.com from March 29 to March 31, 2006