WILLIAM IRONS

Obituary of WILLIAM IRONS William G. "Bill" Irons, 84, of Altoona, Florida passed away Saturday, January 5, 2013. Bill was born in Bronxville, New York; June 19, 1928 to Katherine and William G. Irons, Sr. He attended the Hill School in Pottstown, PA and Trinity College in Hartford, CT. After college Bill served in the United States Coast Guard and was stationed in Eaton's Neck, Long Island for four years. Bill went into his family construction business, Irons & Reynolds, in NYC and built many hospitals and commercial buildings for the next 15 years. His next stage of life brought him back to his childhood roots of Ormond Beach, Florida, where he and his wife of 40 years, Betty MacDonald, raised their four daughters. Bill continued in the construction business for 20 years in Florida. His projects included building condos, apartments and homes. For twelve years Bill was a Hospice volunteer in Volusia County. His other interests included tennis, wood working, furniture making, model ship building, calligraphy and foremost scuba diving with his girls and friends on dive trips through the Bahamas. With the death of his 1st wife he was blessed with a second marriage to Patsy Irons. They moved to Altoona, Florida and for the next twenty years their adventures began. Traveling in their RV they went to Alaska twice, Mexico, 48 of the United States and all the Canadian Provinces. They always looked forward to returning to their beloved "Round Tuit Ranch." There they raised a menagerie of animals; horses, goats, chickens, ducks, guinea hens, pheasants, turkeys, rabbits and Bill's beloved cats. Bill was gem of a man. His quick sense of humor brought many heart felt laughs. He was a true gentleman and honest as the day is long. His character and integrity are qualities his family admired. We were blessed to have him as a father, husband, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was greatly respected and deeply loved. Bill will be remembered by the many life lessons he taught us. Bill is survived by his wife, Patsy Irons, Altoona, FL. His daughters: Katherine Irons Kite (Keith Kite) Vero Beach, FL, Elizabeth Jan Gillespie (Chris Gillespie) Pensacola, FL, Patricia Irons Davis (Norman Davis) Marietta, GA, Lynn Irons Draper (Steve Draper) Cumming, GA, step-son, Kelly P. Kite, Vero Beach, FL and 6 grandchildren: Kelly P. Kite Jr., William Gillespie, Patricia Gillespie, Kyle Kite, Kollin Kite and Hannah Katherine Draper. Services A memorial service wil be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis with Reverend Leon Bloder officiating. In Lieu of Flowers In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/FLN/index.aspx, 4237 Salisbury Road #406, Jacksonville, FL 32216 or to the First Presbyterian Church of Eustis, 117 S. Center Street, Eustis, Florida 32726.