Charles William Britt

Charles William "Bill" Britt of Lake Panasoffkee, Florida was promoted to Heaven on December 29, 2020. Bill was born October 13, 1927 in Sikeston, Missouri, to the late William and Gertrude Britt. Bill was a missionary and a pastor, dedicated to serving the Lord from an early age. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lake Panasoffkee, Florida. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Robert and Gertrude Britt; and sisters, Betty, and Ruth Ann; and his first wife of 62 years, Dorothy (Dot) Britt and his second wife, Althea Britt. He is survived by one brother, Ronnie Britt (Mandy) Lithia, Florida; nieces, Ann Britt Hanna (Manson), South Carolina; Shirley Miller (Mike) Lithia, Florida; nephews, Tommy Britt (Ginger), Riverview, Florida, Dana Britt (Brenda), Valrico, Florida; sister-in-law, Barbara Mizell, (Bill), Lake Panasoffkee, Florida.; several other nieces and nephews and many friends. When Bill was 14 years old he moved with his father from Missouri to Tampa, Florida and shortly thereafter they moved to Boca Grande, Florida where Bill found his first job recovering golf balls from the ponds on the local golf course. About a year later, the family moved back to Tampa where Bill attended public schools. After graduating from Brandon High School in 1945, he joined the US Merchant Marines. He served three years. He returned to Tampa and was employed with the Seaboard Railroad. On March 17, 1950 he married Dorothy (Dot) J. Raulerson in Mango, Florida. While working at the Seaboard Railroad he enlisted in the US Navy Reserves, and his unit was later called into active service. Bill served four years on active duty. Receiving an honorable discharge in 1958, he returned to Tampa. In June 1964 Bill was licensed by the Spencer Memorial Baptist Church in Tampa and ordained by the Northgate Baptist Church of Tampa. He was active in the preaching ministry with the Hillsborough County Juvenile Authorities Penal System, Jail Ministry and nursing homes in the Tampa area. Bill was further involved in the Billy Graham World Wide Crusades in the United States and Central America for three years. Bill was an avid reader, fisherman and hunter. He spent many hours on the water and in the woods. He had an interest in flying, obtaining his pilot license in Tampa, Florida. Bill never gave in to having an idle mind or a constant retirement body. He was always making and taking the opportunity to go and witness to others, winning souls for the Lord. He always had an action personality. If you ever mentioned that something should be done or this person could be helped, the next day you would learn Bill had taken care of it. His adventurous nature always left his loved ones wondering what Bill's next involvement is. In 1969 Pastor Bill received a calling to go into the mission field in Central America, where he pastored the First Baptist Church of LaCeiba Honduras, assisted in organizing missions and preaching stations in the Augan Valley, Central America, the training of National pastors, and establishing jail ministry in LaCeiba. Bill attended language school in Guatemala, becoming fluent in Spanish, which helped him to serve Christ communicating in the native language in South and Central America. When requested for his plane to fly to help others, he was always available. Subjected to the Communist pressure to expel North Americans from Honduras, Bill and Dot departed the country. Returning to the States and having relatives in the Lake Panasoffkee area and his enjoyment of fishing and hunting, Bill and Dot landed in Lake Panasoffkee. In May 1976 he was called as the Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lake Panasoffkee, serving until his retirement in October 1992. During Bill's ensuing years as the pastor, the church grew with many lives being touched and coming to know the Lord, answering Pastor Bill's almost magnetic invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Under Pastor Bill's energetic leadership, the First Baptist Church purchased seven acres in Rutland, Florida to start a Mission, which later constituted into the First Baptist Church of Rutland, Florida. Having a deep love to always serve and teach God's word, Bill did not embellish retirement. He only had a pause, keeping himself available to fill in on occasions as a "supply pastor" any where needed during temporary absences of area pastors. On February 25, 2018 Bill was honored by the First Baptist Church of Lake Panasoffkee giving him the "Pastor Emeritus" recognition, continuing his Christian service which commenced in his youth and lasted throughout his life. With Pastor Bill's return to Lake Panasoffkee and to the First Baptist Church, he has made a "Giant Circle" in his 93 years, serving the Lord and is now in his "Heavenly Home". A Celebration of Life for Charles Britt will be announced at a later date.. Arrangements entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home.

Charles William Britt

October 13, 1927 - December 29, 2020