Billy Birch

Obituary of Billy Birch "Bill" R. Birch, 78, of the Villages of Lady Lake, Florida died on Sunday, April 3 after a short illness. From Charleston, West Virginia, he attended Stonewall Jackson High then proudly enlisted and served in the US Air Force during the Korean War. After his tour of duty, he married the love of his life, Nancy Wade Crockett. He retired from IBM and Kodak with over 30 years of service. As a long-time member, and elder of the Belle Presbyterian Church, he also helped with the youth ministry. Other community roles were boy scouts, PTA and Band Boosters, volunteer firefighter, Past President of the Lions Club, and life member of Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum Titusville, FL. A resident of the Villages since 1993, Bill is well known for his community volunteerism. He served with the Honor Guard of American Legion Post 347, Adopt-a-Kid/Adopt-a-Vet, and worked with a team of volunteers who maintain the jointly operated driving range by the Legion and Lions Club. He was a member of the Villages volunteer fire and police club, Lions club, and North Lake Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his son, Scott Raymond Birch, and daughter, Lynn Birch Pugh, his daughter-in-law, Rosalind Birch, and son-in-law, Richard Pugh, four granddaughters: Lynelle Birch Johnson, Nancee Birch Carter, Kasey Birch, and Rebecca Birch plus five great grandchildren: Trey, Devin, and Avian Johnson, and Kaley and Zander Carter. His surviving siblings are Sarah Joan Sothen and Pat Birch Walker, and sister-in-law, Caroll Birch. Mr. Birch was predeceased by his wife of over fifty years, Nancy C. Birch, brother, Jim Birch, and brother-in-laws: "Chick" Sothen and Jim Walker. Memorial services will be held at 1:00p.m.Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Beyers Funeral Chapel, Lady Lake with Pastor Irv Burton officiating. Inurnment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL at 3:00p.m. with full Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post #347 Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Inc., Lake/Sumter Unit, P.O. Box 13600, Tampa, FL 33681-3600. Services Memorial services will be held at 1:00p.m.Thursday, April 7, 2011 at Beyers Funeral Chapel, Lady Lake with Pastor Irv Burton officiating. Interment Inurnment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL at 3:00p.m. with full Military Honors conducted by American Legion Post #347 Honor Guard. Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Cancer Society, Florida Division, Inc., Lake/Sumter Unit, P.O. Box 13600, Tampa, FL 33681-3600.

Billy Birch

April 3, 2011