William E. "Eddie" Norris, 80, passed away in the Suwannee Valley Care Center (Haven Hospice), April 30, 2012. He was the son of the late Lucious W. and Iris Myrtle (Smith) Norris. Born May 23, 1931 in Watertown, Florida, he attended Columbia High School, graduating in 1949. He then attended Florida State University and graduated in 1954 and remained an avid Seminole Fan. He worked with the Florida Department of Transportation for 49 years, from May 1954 to June 2003. Eddie did his job with sincere dedication and looked forward to going to work. He walked to work at the D.O.T. for many years and waved to everyone passing by in their cars. After retiring from the D.O.T. he went to work with HDR Engineering Firm in July 2003 and worked there for 2 years.
He was a member of the First Advent Christian Church, Elks, Masonic Lodge #27, Shrine Club and the Seminole Boosters. He was in the Florida National Guard from 1948 to 1958 with the rank of Warrant Officer. He is preceded in death by his son, Randy and one sister, Lucille Norris Davis.
He married Katherine (Kathy) Brady Norris of Key West, Florida on September 4, 1956. They had one child, William Randal Norris, Ph.D.; and four grandchildren in Wichita Falls, Texas, Christian, Timothy, Benjamin, and Jennie Katherine Norris; one niece, Kay Davis Barclay of Michigan and one nephew, Joseph Clinton Davis of Tennessee.
The saddest time in his life was the death of his only child.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Parkview Baptist Church with Rev. Fred Gaylard Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday evening, May 2, 2012, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Advent Christian Church, 1881 SW McFarlene Ave., Lake City, FL 32025 or to your favorite charity.
GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 South U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025, (386) 752-1954 is in charge of arrangements. Please leave words of love and comfort for the family at www.gatewayforestlawn.com