William Thomas Ming, Jr.

On Friday, December 14, 2018, William Thomas “Bill” Ming, Jr., loving husband and father of three, Jimmy, Skippy and Bruce; grandfather of seven, Ken, Kimmy, Trisha, Brandy, Christopher, Tommy and Allison; great grandfather of eight, Hunter, Caitlyn, Brody, Addison, Skyler, Zachary, Kelsey and Silas; passed away at age of 91.

Bill was born on September 4, 1927 in Campbellton, Florida.  He was raised by a Christian mother and had a Christian wife and in his heart he loved Jesus.  He went to Graceville High School and graduated from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama.  The he joined the Army and served a tour in Germany.  After returning home he taught high school and coached basketball and other sports.  He married the love of his life, Weleska and they moved to Destin Florida in 1954.  They built their family home while he started working Civil Service at Eglin Air Fort Base in the Freeman Mathematics Lab.  He also served in Florida National Guard and was Commander of his unit for many years.  He and Weleska owned and operated multiple businesses in Destin, including a tropical fish business, a Tastee Freeze, rental properties, Oyster Shell business and Destin Marina with charter boats; Miss Destin I, Miss Destin II and Miss Destin III.  He also was involved in his family farm in Graceville, Florida.

He was a member of the Destin Lions Club, helped start the Destin Community Center and helped start the Destin Volunteer Fire Department and served as an Assistant Chief for many years.  He helped purchase the first fire truck of Destin Florida.  During the early years of the Destin Fishing Rodeo he was also active in fundraising and support for the Rodeo as well as the Children’s Christmas programs each year.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Avenue SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.  A graveside service with Military Honors will be held December 28, 2018 at 11:00AM at Destin Memorial Cemetery, Phase 2, 120 Sibert Avenue, Destin, Florida.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Alaqua Animal Refuge, 914 Whitfield Rd, Freeport, Florida, #850-880-6399, www.alaqua.org.

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