William F. Black's Obituary
William F. Black passed away on January 11, 2019 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 92 in his home in Annapolis, MD surrounded by loving family.
Bill was born in Hollywood, FL and was raised in Athens, AL. He was drafted into the United States Navy and served in the Admiralty Islands in New Guinea as a WWII Motor Machinist Mate 3rd Class Private.
Subsequent to his Honorable Discharge in 1946, he attended Auburn University and earned a degree in Building Construction from The Alabama Polytechnic Institute. At approximately age 26, Bill was hired by J. W. Bateson Construction. Bill worked his way up in the company from Change Order Manager to Project and Contract Manager. Among his most notable buildings was the Republic National Bank in Dallas, TX, U.S. Post Office and Court House in Cheyenne, WY, and Medical College Dental School in Charleston, South Carolina. His work had him moving every few years to a total of 12 different states. Upon his arrival in Annapolis, MD in 1970, he was here to stay. Bill managed the construction of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Library and Education Center, Engineering Studies Complex, and their Lejeune Physical Education Center. He continued to live in Annapolis while working on the World Trade Center in Baltimore, the Blue Plains Pollution Control Plant in Washington, D.C., and the Dirksen Senate Office Building in D.C.
Bill’s took the most pride in his role in the construction of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. which took place from 1976-1980. In 1984 Bill was promoted to Vice President of what was now the Centex Construction Company.
Bill retired in 1992 at the age of 66. Over the years he enjoyed his time with his family skiing, playing tennis, playing bridge, and fishing as often as possible. He was happy to have found a favorite fishing spot which he shared with his grandchildren.
Retirement also led to a new passion for Bill. He started wood carving with the Arundel Carvers Club and at the South County Senior Center. Over his 17 years of carving he created over 156 items!! Most notable were his birds, but he also carved shoes, fish, and a Santa Clause each year for his wife.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Patricia Black, and his daughter and her husband, Jane and James Trice of Corning, NY. Also by his grandchildren, Jessica Colburn (Eric) of Fort Mills, SC, Sarah and Stephen Black of Annapolis, and Katherine and Ryan Trice of Corning, NY. He is also survived his sister June (Black) Morris Jackson of Little Rock, AR, and his daughter-in-law Jeanne Black. He was predeceased by his son David Black, of Annapolis, MD, and by his parents, Elsie and Fred Black of Athens, AL.
Funeral Services will take place at Lasting Tributes Friday, January 18th. The visitation will begin at 7:00pm, followed by the funeral service at 8:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at pancan.org or Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care.
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