William Everett "Bill" Graves, 83, of Pensacola, FL passed away Friday, November 3, 2023.

Bill was born on March 5, 1940, in Paris, TN to William Ralph Graves and Gwendolyn Whitford Graves. He grew up in Union City, TN and graduated from Union City High School. In 1964, he graduated with a BA in English from Auburn University and in 1969 with a BA of Architecture from the University of Arkansas. While at the University of Arkansas, Bill worked for the architectural firm of Fay Jones, Dean of the School of Architecture. Following graduation, he was hired by Kevin Roche-John Dinkaloo, Architects, and Associates in Hamden, CT, the former firm of Eero Saarinen, noted for major design projects including the completion of the design of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and in NYC the Ford Foundation and Metropolitan Museum of Art's multiple additions.

In 1973, some of his dearest friendships maintained from childhood and college (Carl Kirkland, Tom Thornton, Miles Neumann, George Barber, and Robert Parker, DVM) enticed Bill back south to the Gulf of Mexico thereby fulfilling a dream to live on the water.

In Pensacola, he joined the architectural practice of Marshall-MacNeil located on South Palafox. Later he partnered with Ellis Bullock, Jr. forming Bullock-Graves, AIA prior to establishing William Graves, AIA, in the historic L&N Marine Terminal Building on Bayfront Parkway. As the practice grew Graves Carlos Architects, Engineers, P.A. was formed in 1992 and located on Government Street. In 2002 Graves + Carlos merged with STOA International, from which Bill retired in 2004.

For close to 50 years Bill was a member of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church. He designed the church's new sanctuary with construction 1981-83. In 1994, he designed an expansion for the sanctuary's chancel area and collaborated with Dr. Herb Sadler to create a symbolic focal point, a prism casting a rainbow over a large cross, beneath the bell tower.

Over the many years of his career, he also designed some beautiful homes for dear and special friends, and he received numerous design awards including an AIA award for his residence at 1062 Harbor Lane in Gulf Breeze.

His local contributions were many including M.C. Blanchard Judicial Building, Gulf Power building, Expansion of Pensacola Airport, Post Office in Foley, Department of Defense, the Pensacola News Journal, and many other Gannett Newspapers. Bill was active in many organizations some to include the Rotary Club of Gulf Breeze, the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, President of St. Michaels Cemetery, and many others. His biggest love was of the water. Bill discovered the love of golf and won many quarters off his son while putting. He also enjoyed traveling, guns, fishing, hunting, boating, water sports, and playing pool. On weekends, Bill would take his kids on the small Boston Whaler to Baldwin County where his college friends lived and they would boat, hunt, and fish. He loved maps and exploring up creeks, down roads, and places he had not been. Instilling wanderlust in his daughter, he followed her to Europe, Honduras, Alaska, and anywhere else she went.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marcia Graves Knox; his nephew, Lane Edmundson; as well as a grandson, Woodson Adams Birthright.

Survivors include his loving wife, Lynette Graves; children, Jase Graves (Julie) of Pensacola, FL, Kate Birthright (Brian) of Waynesville, NC, and Brown Thompson (Rose) of Fort Myers, FL; grandchildren, Grant Graves, Whitford and Wayde Henry Birthright; brother-in-law, Michael Knox of Union City, TN; nephew, Sam Edmundson of Nashville, TN; as well as his sweet dogs, Willie and Wilma.

A Memorial Service will be held 1:00pm Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ruth Knights officiating. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Pensacola Humane Society.

The family would like to give special thanks to Louis F. Ray, Jr., Angela Bottesini, and the caring team members of Covenant Care Hospice.