William Holyfield

William Gilbert Holyfield, Jr. (Bill) passed away on March 26, 2023. He was born on June 13, 1928, in Roanoke, VA. The loving son of William Gilbert and Mary Moore Holyfield, Bill was surrounded by a large extended family with many cousins during his youth in Roanoke. He was an avid athlete and sports fan, including basketball, football and golf. His high school team won a Virginia state basketball championship. Bill graduated from Duke University in 1951, earning a B.A. in Accounting, and was a proud member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. In 1952, Bill joined the U.S. Navy and graduated in the fifth class of Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI. The duration of his naval service was aboard the USS Saipan CVL48 aircraft carrier, where he served as Communications Officer on various cruises, including a 295-day circumnavigation of the globe. Subsequently Bill moved to Lakeland, FL to begin his career at Fla-Ga Tractor Co., later covering the Southeast as Regional Sales Manager for Jaeger Machine Co. In 1971, he formed Palmland Equipment Company in Jacksonville, eventually opening branches in Albany, GA and Tampa. During his 42 years leading Palmland, Bill developed many close friendships with customers, employees and others in the industrial equipment business. A member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Westside Rotary Club, Timuquana Country Club, Iron Dukes and Honey-Dos, Bill enjoyed travel with family and friends, particularly when golf was included. He could also often be found enjoying the ocean breezes on the porch of his Jacksonville Beach vacation home. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Pauline Slater Perry (Polly); daughter Sarah Hansel Klein (Chris), New Orleans, LA; son William G. Holyfield III, Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Alex Hansel, Will Holyfield, Nick Hansel (Gracie) and Katherine Holyfield; and great-granddaughter Sofia Hansel. Funeral services will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Ave, Jacksonville, FL on April 14, 2023, at 1 pm. Following services, the Committal will take place in the memorial garden and include military honors. Reception to follow in Leatherbury Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Episcopal School of Jacksonville, 4455 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.