Billy Wayne (Bill) Sneed
July 10, 2022
This world lost an amazing and unselfish man on June 23, 2022. died at home in Cantonment, FL, at the age of 81, after a long journey with dementia and a short battle with cancer. Bill will be remembered for his strong devotion to his family, great sense of humor, outrageous storytelling, and a sincere desire to help others.
Bill was born in Russellville, AL, on January 21, 1941, to parents Carrie and Jack Sneed. He graduated from Russellville High School, class of 1960, where he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. Football was always his favorite sport, and he was a lifelong fan of the University of Alabama football team. Roll Tide!!
After graduation, Bill enjoyed a successful career with Chemstrand/ Monsanto Company, working in the research lab in Durham, NC, and then in the 750 Building in Pensacola, FL. He later became a Technical Service Laboratory Coordinator for many years before retiring in 1996 after 35 years with the company.
On June 14, 1974, Bill married the love of his life, best friend, and traveling partner, Ruth Ann Carnley. Bill and Ruth raised three children in a blended family, continued their individual careers, and traveled to all fifty states, usually camping in their RV, and to many other countries. When they could no longer travel long distances, Ruth became Bill’s constant companion and encourager at and near home.
Bill was a member of Ensley Masonic Lodge#278, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. As a member of First United Methodist Church, Pensacola, Bill worked with other retired men doing repairs and restoration, (R & R). He also prepared meals in the church kitchen, served the hungry at Loaves and Fishes, and was a founding member of the Ike Terry Sunday School Class. For many years he volunteered at the information desk at West Florida Hospital. One of his greatest joys was going on fishing trips with his buddies and communing with nature.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his precious grandson Camden, his younger brother Bob, and his dear friend Ralph Lodge.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ruth Ann Sneed, his daughter Sharon Lynne Yetzer of Pensacola, his sons, Todd Alan Carnley of Mobile and Brian David Sneed (Malyn) of Three Rivers, MI, seven grandchildren, three great-grandsons, his sisters, Betty Grissom and Glenda Williams, and his brother, Jackie Sneed (Dean). The family wishes to thank their special nurse Julie from Vitas Health Care for her kindness and care for Bill and Ruth.
A memorial service and celebration of Bill’s life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 6 E Wright Street, Pensacola on Friday, July 15 at 3:00, followed by a reception in the Wright Place. The service will be live streamed on the church website.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the church, designated for Fifty Forward Senior Adult Ministry, United Ministries of Pensacola, 257B E. Lee St., Pensacola, FL 32503, or the Alzheimer’s Association
This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Locations
July 10, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- State Road (S.R.) 292 (Sorrento Road /Perdido Key Drive) Resurfacing from Theo Baars Bridge to South of Bauer Road – Canal Drive at Perdido Key Drive will be closed from 8 a.m. Monday, July 11 to 5 p.m. Friday, July 22 to reconstruct Canal Drive as part of the Sorrento Road improvement project. Canal Drive traffic will be detoured to Innerarity Point Road, then south on Monterrey Drive to Canal Drive. Construction signs will be in place to alert drivers of the road closure and detours.
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers will encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews perform remaining work on traffic signals, landscaping and pedestrian fence.
- North Ninth Avenue (S.R. 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 15 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of Interstate 10 (I-10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures, Sunday, July 10 through Thursday, July 14 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for sidewalk and curb improvements.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter the following traffic impacts, Sunday, July 10 through Thursday, July 14 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
- Alternating lane closures on the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 westbound as crews perform asphalt work.
- Alternating lane closures on the I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway and the I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound as crews place high friction surface treatment on the ramps.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Escambia River – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures 5.4 miles east of U.S. 29, Wednesday, July 13 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, July 12, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, July 10 through Friday, July 15 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, July 11 through Thursday, July 14 for construction activities. In addition, a detour will be in effect at Garcon Point Road overpass, Sunday, July 10 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Traffic will be diverted to the westbound off-ramp at exit 26 (Garcon Point Road) and re-enter the interstate on the westbound on-ramp.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance from Ray Helms Road to South of South Lynn Road – Motorists can expect intermittent southbound lane closures Thursday, July 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for power pole maintenance.
- U.S. 90 Routine Bridge Maintenance over Marquis Bayou – Motorists will encounter intermittent lane closures a half a mile east of Canal Street, Tuesday, July 12, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. for routine bridge maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Thomas W. “Tommy” Holland Jr.
July 10, 2022
passed away July 6, 2022. Tommy was born in Pensacola, Florida, October 3, 1951. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was the manager of Pensacola Tire Center for many many years. He was a 1969 graduate of Pensacola High School and later received a degree from Pensacola Junior College.
Tommy is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Sr. and Bonnie Cook Holland and his brother David C. Holland.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Pamela Robey Holland, his brother John D. Holland and wife Deborah, David’s daughter Morgan J. Holland and her fiancé Stevie Stokes, John’s son, Jonathan D. Holland and wife Tiffany, and their children Noah and Sunny.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South. Family visitation will begin at 10:30 AM followed by open visitation from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
Mesa’s Four Hits Not Enough In Mississippi’s 7-6 Defeat Of The Blue Wahoos
July 10, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos fell victim to another late Mississippi Braves rally on Saturday night, dropping their third in a row in dramatic fashion by a score of 7-6.
Victor Victor Mesa went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple for the Blue Wahoos, but his performance was overshadowed by a game-winning two-run double from Mississippi’s C.J. Alexander with two outs in the bottom of the eighth.
Pensacola starter Zach King allowed an early two-run homer to Drew Lugbauer in the first inning, but looked much sharper in his second Double-A start. The lefty allowed three runs on four hits over 5.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Trailing 3-0 in the fourth, the Blue Wahoos started a rally against Braves starter Tanner Gordon with a leadoff double from Norel González. RBI singles from J.D. Orr and Cobie Fletcher-Vance followed, and an RBI groundout from Bubba Hollins in the fifth tied the game 3-3.
The Blue Wahoos took their first lead in the sixth on a Ray-Patrick Didder RBI single, and run-scoring sacrifice flies from Griffin Conine and Paul McIntosh stretched the lead to 6-3. Mississippi got a run back in the sixth with a solo homer from Jalen Miller, but the Pensacola lead stayed 6-4 going to the final two innings.
Braves reliever Indigo Diaz (W, 1-4) worked around a Mesa triple with one out in the top of the eighth inning to set the stage for Alexander’s heroics against Eli Villalobos (L, 3-2) in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Ferguson (S, 3) worked a spotless ninth to earn the save for Mississippi.
The Blue Wahoos wrap up their series against the M-Braves on Sunday afternoon.
by Erik Bremmer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
William Donald “Don” McCrory, Jr.
July 10, 2022
William Donald “Don” McCrory, Jr. born in Pensacola, FL on November 1, 1968 left this world on June 24, 2022 in Birmingham AL at the age of 53.
Don was preceded in death by his grandparents: John & Helen Brinkman and William & Mildred McCrory; two aunts: Della Brinkman Railey and Bonnie McCrory Stacey; two uncles: John Brinkman Jr. and Benny McCrory; and countless other family members.
He is survived by his parents Eileen McCrory Tucker and William Donald McCrory, Sr.; brother Todd McCrory; son, Jon Vige, and granddaughter Blaire Vige; a very special friend, Susan Roldan; and many other family members.
A memorial service will be held at Faith Chapel Funeral Home North on July 13 at 4 p.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 3 p.m
Two Charged With Attempted Armed Carjacking Of Woman At Highway 29 McDonald’s In Gonzalez
July 9, 2022
Two men have been arrested for trying to carjack a woman at the McDonalds in Gonzalez.
Kevon Lametris Keys, 19, and Diamond Kaneil Slack, 26, are charged with attempted carjacking with a weapon. Slack (pictured left) is also charged with aggravated assault.
The victim had just gone through the drive-thru at the McDonalds on Highway 29 near Old Chemstrand Road. She was in the waiting area of the drive-thru when she was approached by two males that pulled a gun and demanded that she exit her vehicle, according to Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons.
“For some reason, they decide to change their mind, made a comment something about ‘you seem like a nice lady’, and they take off and run,” Simmons said.
Keys was jailed with bond set at $50,000, and bond was set at $55,000 for Slack.
Escambia Honors Firefighter And Paramedic Bill Halfacre As He Retires After 41 Years
July 9, 2022
This week, Escambia County Fire Rescue honored Willis “Bill” Halfacre as he retired with 41 years of dedicated service as a firefighter and paramedic.
“Well, I made it,” Halfacre said during the ceremony. “I appreciate everyone for being here today, and I am so thankful to Escambia County for everything they have done for me. They will always be remembered.”
Halfacre began his fire service career as a volunteer firefighter with Ensley Volunteer Fire Department in January 1981. In 1989, Halfacre went to work part-time with Escambia County EMS as an EMT and eventually become a paramedic in May 1994.
He joined ECFR full-time in January 2000. Throughout his career, FF Halfacre received his HAZMAT certification, Fire Officer II certification, live fire training Instructor certification, pump operator certification and his AAS degree in fire science from Pensacola State College.
Family, friends, colleagues, local elected officials, local law enforcement and fire partners from nearby communities gathered to honor Halfacre. Escambia County District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender presented him with an official proclamation from the board thanking him for his service, and he also received a certificate of recognition from the office of Rep. Michelle Salzman.
Halfacre has been married to his wife Cassandra since 2005.
Missing, Endangered Flomaton Man Found Safe After 12 Hours In Creek
July 9, 2022
A missing and endangered Flomaton man was located early Saturday morning after over 12 hours in the waters of the Big Escambia Creek.
Gerry Don Thompson was last seen about 6 p.m. Friday in the area of the Flomaton Boat Landing on Big Escambia Creek, just off Highway 31 and the Skippy White Bridge. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, he is a 33-year old that lives with a condition that may impair his judgment.
“This was a great outcome with various different hands assisting. He is now back with his family,” Flomaton Police Chief Chance Thompson said.
“If you could have heard the excitement in the boat I was in with the other responders…it was truly amazing to hear him talk back to us,” the chief added.
The Flomaton Police Department was assisted by the Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office, Flomaton Fire Department, D.W. McMcMillan EMS, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s aviation unit and troopers, Alabama Department of Corrections, and several Good Samaritans.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
July 9, 2022
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1am and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10am. High near 87. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Sunday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 82. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Tuesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 85. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.
Here Is The Schedule For Today’s Blue Angels Air Show
July 9, 2022
Here is the schedule for Saturday’s annual Pensacola Beach Air Show:
Julian MacQueen will lead off the civilian acts portion of the air show in his big, flying seaplane, a vintage 1943 Grumman Widgeon starting around 11 a.m.
Next up the Veteran’s Flight team will be over the Gulf. Organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, about a dozen vintage Stearman bi-plane pilots from all over the Southeast will be flying World War II and Korean War veterans over Pensacola Beach on Saturday as a way to pay tribute to them, and give the tens of thousands of beach spectators a glimpse at aviation history.
Next, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Sea Rescue demonstration will take place near the beach pier from an MH-65D Dolphin medevac helicopter. The SAR aircrew consists of two pilots, one flight mechanic and a rescue swimmer. Depending on the nature of distress, the rescue swimmer deploys via freefall or hoist to provide assistance.
Following that, watch solo pilot Kevin Coleman push the limits of his bright yellow Extra 300 SHP stunt plane to create a visual spectacle like no other over Pensacola Beach.
Next up, pilots Ken Rieder and Adam Baker with Redline Aerobatic Team take to the skies in their signature red and black stunt planes to perform opposing stunts and inverted maneuvers and formations.
Stunt pilot Skip Stewart will then wow the crowds with high-skill passes and jaw-dropping maneuvers in his famous red, white and black-checkered bi-plane, Prometheus.
New to the show this year, Patty Wagstaff, the first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic champion and a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, will take the sky over Pensacola Beach. Her breathtaking performances give air show spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of hard-core aerobatics.
Closing out the civilian acts, solo pilot Gary Ward will zip overhead in his green and purple MX2 aircraft, showcasing an aerobatic act packed with breathtaking maneuvers that range from zero speed hovers to dives in excess of 250 mph.
Following the civilian stunt pilot performances, there will be about a 35-minute window for spectators to cool off and take a dip in the Gulf before lifeguards clear the water again in anticipation of the start of the Blue Angels show.
At 2 p.m., look to the Gulf horizon as a famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach. For the next 50 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 75 years.
NorthEscambia.com file photos by Perry Doggrell, click to enlarge.