Mr. William "Bill" Gladden, Jr.

(Excerpt from the Book of Ecclesiastes-Third Chapter) “To Everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the Heavens” “A Time to Be Born” William Gladden, Jr. was born on February 13, 1932 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the oldest child of William and Bertha Gladden, Sr. “A Time to Learn” He matriculated from Hungerford High School and attended Morehouse College for two years. In 1973, he was licensed as a funeral embalmer through the McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Inc., New York. “A Time to Serve” He was enlisted into the United States Navy on June 2, 1952 and served his country for four years. He was honorably discharged from the Navy and later went on to serve as an Officer for the City of Miami Police Department. He also worked with troubled youth during his time of service with the New York City Department of Corrections Juvenile Justice Division. He later became a Citrus Grove Manager for Sharp’s Grove Services of Apopka, Florida until his retirement in 1990. He served his community as a licensed Notary Public and wrote weekly historical articles for the Apopka Chief newspaper under the pen name of Perrine Slim. He was the proud author of the book “The Pennings of Perrine Slim: Stories of Northwest Orange County Florida.” Affiliations include the Fraternal Order of Masons - Davis Lodge #47 and the Morehouse College Alumni Association. He was known to many as the “Mayor of South Apopka.” “A Time to Depart” On April 2, 2015, William transitioned from this earthly life to his heavenly home. “A Time to Cherish” William Gladden, Jr. married Beatrice Rometta Love in 1956. She preceded him in death in 1995. Those who are left to cherish his memory and lament his passing: son, Michael C. Gladden, III (Joscelyn) of Orlando, Florida; like a son, Tarence Brown of Apopka, Florida; grandsons, Michael C. Gladden, Jr. (Sharise) of Melbourne, Florida, Jonathan D. Eaddy of Brunswick, Georgia, Christopher K. H. Eaddy, Sr. (Allison) of Winter Springs, Florida; like a grandson, Tabyuse Johnson of Apopka, Florida; granddaughters, Michelle Gladden of Miami, Florida, Michaela Gladden of Cincinnati, Ohio, Rometta Gladden of Houston, Texas; sisters, Carolyn McBain, Jean Marie Leslie (Willie) of New York; sisters-in-law, Geneva Gladden of Sanford, Florida, Martha Love Crumel (Shealy) of Boca Raton, Florida, Jacqui Love Thornell (Reverend Kwasi) of Walnut Creek, California; nephews, Gary Garner of Apopka, Florida, Joseph McBain of New York; devoted friends, Francina Boykin, Steve Johnson, Jr., Annie Belle Gilliam, David Wright, Jr. (Etrulia), Ernest Simmons of Apopka, Florida; six great-grandchildren; and a host of other sorrowing relatives and friends.

Tributes

Mr. William "Bill" Gladden, Jr.

February 13, 1932 - April 2, 2015