William F. "Bill" Hart, age 91, peacefully passed away in his home on Sunday, April 20, 2025, Easter afternoon. Bill was born on August 8, 1933, to C. F. (Dick) and Abbie Hart. On June 12, 1955, Bill married the love of his life, Jacqueline (Jackie) Fletcher. They lived a blessed life together for almost 70 years. They raised three daughters on their now seven-generational family farm near Mayo, Florida.

Bill graduated from Lafayette High School in 1951. After a year at the University of Florida, he transferred to Florida State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While at FSU, he worked at the student union and for the Florida Department of Transportation, even spending a summer traveling throughout the state conducting surveys for the construction of the original Florida Turnpike.

After graduating from FSU, he and Jackie returned to Mayo and began their careers as teachers for the Lafayette School District. Through the first 20 years of his career, Bill taught history, driver's education, and served as a class sponsor for numerous groups. After earning his Master of Administration from Valdosta State College, he moved into administrative positions at LHS, LCSB, and became the first principal of Lafayette Elementary School. While serving as principal, Bill was in charge of the transportation, custodial, teacher in-service, and food services departments. He also traveled to the state as a part of numerous SACS teams helping other schools earn and renew accreditation. He was instrumental in the construction of the first elementary school in Mayo in the 80s and the rebuilding of LHS in the 90s. Bill retired in 1995 after 40 years of service in Lafayette County.

When his father suddenly died in April of 1989, Bill was elected to Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative's board of directors to assume his father's position and held several officer positions. In his 33 years as director at SVEC, Bill also served on the board of the Seminole Electric Cooperative based in Tampa, where he served as secretary, vice president, and president. As a director, Bill, accompanied by Jackie, traveled the United States to attend conferences and conventions.

Bill's first priority, though, was his service to God. He was raised in the Mayo Methodist Church, and after he married Jackie, they served in numerous positions at Mayo Baptist Church. He was a Sunday School teacher, a deacon, and a trustee. He also served on and led numerous committees.

His family describes him as an exemplary servant of God. He was patient, calm, kind, selfless, humble, generous, encouraging, supportive, wise, hard-working, and loving. He taught his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews these virtues through his dedication to God's church and people, his work in the school system, his commitment to the continuance of his father's legacy at SVEC, his preservation of and provisions provided by the family farm, as well as through his love of fishing and hunting. His legacy will live on in them. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, not only for his steadfast faithfulness to God's Word, but also for all the stories and family history he shared upon every visit.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, C. F. and Abbie Hart, his sister Joanette (Bill) McMillan, his brothers Bobby Hart, Tom (Roxie) Hart, and grandson Darren Sheppard.

He is survived by his wife Jackie, his sister-in-law Latrelle Hart, daughters Joan (Kip) Carpenter, Francene (Andy) Folsom, and Joycelyn Cook; grandchildren William (Kristyn) Folsom, Aaron Folsom, Kacia (Travis) Colson, Olivia (Jeff) DeLong, Stephen (Taylor) Putnal, Tiffany Carpenter, Jared Cook, and Elisabeth Cook; great-grandchildren Jacob, Lanae, Kyleigh, Adalyn, Hart, Amelia, Grant, and Wyatt; and a host of nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, from 2:30 until 3:20 p.m. at Mayo Baptist Church in Mayo, Florida. The funeral will follow at 3:30, with Reverend Rick James officiating. The interment will be held at Bethel Cemetery in Mayo, FL.

Donations may be given to Mayo Baptist Church in memory of Bill Hart.  Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025.  Please leave words of comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com .