William Statler

PACE, Fla. -- William Randolph Statler, 73, of Pace, Fla., went to his final duty station Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011.

He was born Sept. 20, 1937, in Perry County, Mo., to Woodrow and Hazel Bollinger Statler.

He graduated from Jackson High School in 1956 and joined the Navy that year. During his career as a Navy Seabee, he was stationed with USNTC in Great Lakes, Ill.; CHB1 in Williamsburg, Va.; NFA in Cartagena, Spain; ASA in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; NAVSCON in Port Hueneme, Calif.; NMCB7 in Davisville, R.I.; NSA Danang in South Vietnam, RVN; NAVSCON in Davisville, R.I.; CBMU302, RVN and ADCOP PJC in Pensacola, Fla.; NSO La Maddalena in Sardinia, Italy; NETPOC in Pensacola, Fla.; NSA Diego Garcia, BIOT and NMCB62 in Gulfport, Miss. He retired in Pensacola, Fla., as a master chief petty officer on Jan. 31, 1982. His civilian career included time at Del-Jen at NAS Whiting Field, the University of West Florida as building maintenance supervisor and Escambia County as facilities maintenance coordinator. Upon his retirement from Escambia County in September 2006, he and his wife traveled across the United States in their Scamp and had fun with family, friends and sometimes just each other as they embraced their golden years. He was a dedicated member of the Masonic Lodge, having recently celebrated 50 years of service and brotherhood, and of Escambria River Muzzle Loaders.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Statler of Pace; a son, Daryl Statler of Pace; a daughter, Leslie Statler of Milton, Fla.; a granddaughter, Desiree Statler (Richard Beach) of Milton; a grandson, Oshea Statler of Pace; a sister, Joy Engelhart of Jackson; two brothers, Gene (Judi) Statler of New London, Mo., and Glenn (Karen) Statler of Jackson; many nieces and nephews; and his four-legged buddy, Desmond. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Frances Statler; a brother-in-law, Charles Engelhart; and a nephew, Joe Engelhart.

Visitation is from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Lewis Funeral Home in Pace, Fla.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Charley Elliott officiating. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.

Memorial donations may be made to Pace Masonic Lodge No. 349, 5024 East Spencer Field Road, Milton, FL 32571-9077 or to the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Sympathy messages and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.net.

Local announcement was made courtesy of McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.