William "Bill" Albert Leavings, 86, a father, grandfather, husband, and proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, died Sunday, September 26, 2021, in Pensacola, FL.

Leavings died of natural causes after having lived with Alzheimer's disease for several years.

He was born in Houston, TX on November 30, 1934 , one of 11 children. Known as Bill to his family and friends, Leavings enlisted in the U.S. Navy, embarking on a three-decade career that brought him around the country and the world. He eventually settled in Pensacola with his family and retired from the Navy at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4.

His grandchildren remember Leavings as a kind, thoughtful and funny man who loved playing jokes on his family. He is also remembered as a dutiful caretaker for his wife, Ethel, who used a wheelchair in the last years of her life before she died in 2011.

His grandson, Casey Leavings, remembers being proud when his grandfather would come to his elementary school to read books as a volunteer. His grandson, Lucas Nelson, remembers Leavings hiding behind the cabinets when he went to pick Lucas up at daycare - peeking out until his grandson saw him. Lexi Nelson, his granddaughter, remembers Leavings playing April Fools' jokes and waiting for her at the bus stop. His grandson, Michael Williams, remembers watching cartoons with Leavings.

His other survivors include his daughters, Barbara Nelson and Noelle Williams, and sons-in-law, Dru Nelson and George Williams.

Leavings will be buried with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery at 11:00am Friday, October 8, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association.

His family would like to thank the staff of the Homestead Village of Pensacola, who took exceptional care of Leavings in the last years of his life.