William Henry Slayton

William Henry Slayton was born on August 1, 1936 to William Henry and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Slayton in Anniston, Alabama. He was the only child of this union.

William started his education in the Anniston City Schools and at grade 9 transferred to Calhoun County Schools where he completed his requirements for the High School Diploma. It was during high school that he met his high school sweetheart and Prom date, Bobbye Chatman. Athletics was how their paths crossed with William being a 2 sport athlete (football and basketball) but also musically inclined playing trumpet in the high school band.

After high school William entered the US Army where he served in the Transportation Corps in Fort Eustis, Virginia. From Fort Eustis he did a tour of duty in Greenland. He served his country for three years and received an Honorable Discharge, earning several medals of Honor.

After leaving the Army William returned to New Port News, Virginia where he worked in the shipyards for a brief period and then resumed his love of music by playing trumpet with several jazz bands throughout the area. He then returned to Anniston to care for his mother, Elizabeth Slayton until her death as his father preceded him in death when he was in middle school. He remained in Anniston and was married to Ella Jennings until her death.

In Anniston he worked for several companies including Tyson Foods where he retired. He also worked as a Funeral Director for Anniston Funeral Services for several years. He worked as a photographer and was the first minority Salesman for JC Penney in Anniston at the time. After retirement he worked part time as a home repairman using skills gained from his military service and skills that were taught to him as a young man by his father. He was employed part time as a test administrator with the National Assessment of Education Progress; a role that he enjoyed with his wife Bobbye while continuing to operate his handyman business.

William was a family man and well grounded in his faith. He was baptized at Smith Tabernacle CME Church in Anniston, Alabama but as a young man joined Grace Lutheran Church in Anniston, Alabama. He served faithfully at Grace Lutheran Church in Anniston, Alabama on the Church Council, choir member, usher and crucifer. After the death of his wife Ella, fate reunited him with his high school sweetheart, Bobbye, relocating from Anniston, Alabama to Villa Rica, Georgia. He immediately became a part of her family of children and grandchildren. He joined and continued to serve in his new church of the same name Grace Lutheran Church now in Carrolton, Georgia. He served on the Church Council, sang in the Choir and served as a Canter. William was always available to assist in whatever was needed to also support the upkeep of the church.

William enjoyed traveling and especially cruises. He and Bobbye vacationed each year and their last memorable cruise was to Cuba. Beyond his faith William loved life and life experiences. He was passionate about the Atlanta Braves Baseball and there was never a game that he would miss. He loved to take care of his lawn and he loved playing cards, bid whisk to be specific with the “card playing crew.”

After the death of his wife Bobbye, William learned to live with his new normal again of being a widower. He moved to The Oaks at Douglasville/Lotus Park where he again formed a community and made new friendships at his assisted living residence. After the passing of his wife and settling into his new residence William began to travel again.

He went back to Fort Eustis, Virginia and toured the base where he had been stationed in the 1950s and got to sit out on the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. He took a trip to Las Vegas with friends and family where he got to see shows, ride a party bus while enjoying the sites and sounds of the casino and the area. He went to Temecula, California where he got to visit wineries and listen to great music. And of course he got to go to a Braves Baseball Game in their new facility. Locally in the Atlanta area he attended galas, dinners, jazz concerts, restaurants, karaoke, celebrations and other meaningful experiences until the very end.

William lived a full and complete life. He was always the optimist and didn’t worry or live with regret. He was kind and thoughtful and saw the best in every person he encountered. He drew people in and displayed the love of Christ to everyone. He defied the doctors’ diagnosis year after year and had a will to live that was unmatched. He stood grounded in his faith and believed that when God was ready to call him home he would be okay with that. Until then he was content in whatever state and place he was in.

William is survived by bonus son Aubrey Smith, Sr., and bonus daughters Janis P. Pressley (Darrell Reid) and Joanna P. Williams (Shaun), bonus grandchildren Aubrey Smith, Jr, Gabriel Davis, Erin Williams, Erica Williams, Elise Williams, Kennedy Moore, Aden Moore, sisters-in-law Louise Merritt and Gertrude Davis and a host of friends who loved him deeply.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com Jones-Wynn Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services of Villa Rica is in charge of the arrangements. 770-459-3694