William Casimere Betbeze, Jr.

William Casimere Betbeze, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in Fairhope on Thursday, December 20th.   He was 94. Billy was born and grew up in Mobile, Alabama, graduated from Murphy High School, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Saratoga. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. Billy served as an enlisted aide to Vice Admiral Lord Mountbatten when he visited the Saratoga as it supported the British Eastern Fleet. Upon his return from service, he married Margaret Lynn McCrary, also of Mobile, in 1946. He was the founder of Truck Equipment Sales, Inc. of Mobile, Pensacola, and Dothan. He and Margaret were members of St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Mobile for many years. Upon retirement, they moved to Orange Beach, where both were very active in St. Thomas by the Sea Catholic Church. Recently they have resided in Fairhope, and are members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Billy was very fond of the outdoors; hunting and fishing were his passions. He maintained a home on the water most of his adult life, kept a boat there and loved to fish. He and Margaret are members of the Country Club of Mobile. He was also active in the Crichton Optimist Club, a founding member of the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, Old Stag and Gulf Pines Hunting Clubs. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Allene Betbeze. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Margaret Lynn McCrary Betbeze, daughters Lynn Yankie (Alan) of Orange Beach; Susie Forkum (Don) of Fairhope; and Anne Anderson (Craig) of Dacula, GA. In addition, he is survived by six grandchildren, Peggy Naughton (David Perryman) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; John Naughton (Monica) of Mobile, Adron Allen, Jr. (Nikki) of The Woodlands, TX; Richard Forkum (Amy) of St. Louis, MO; Leigh Creel (Matthew) of Braselton, GA; and Erin Anderson of Atlanta, GA; and seven great-grandchildren, Lexi, Brannon, McCrary and Maggie Naughton, Rex Allen, Ella Forkum, and Foster Creel. He leaves behind two brothers, Gaines (Betty) and Jerry (Millie) Betbeze and two sisters, Elizabeth Richter and Sue Betbeze. The family wishes to thank the kind and loving caregivers of Comfort Keepers of Daphne, especially Dinah, Natasha, Betty, Tammy, and Catherine.   The family also appreciates the care provided by Kindred At Home Hospice. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 27, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Alabama Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Neurofibromatosis Foundation.     ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251) 990-7775