George William "Bill" Vinzant, Jr., 78, of Pensacola, FL passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Bill was the first born of 6 children to George and Marie Vinzant in Laurel, MS on January 8, 1943. After his graduation at Ellisville High School, Bill attended Jones County Junior College receiving an associate degree. He was hired by a finance company in Greenville, MS. He frequently visited a drug store where a lovely lady caught his eye. Bill met Sandra and fell in love. Talking about the love of his life, brought a smile to his face all the time. May 14, 1964, was the day they were pronounced husband and wife and started the beginning of their lives together.

After marriage, Bill started a 20+ year career with Woodmen of the World. With the knowledge and experience that he achieved there, he went to work for Modern Woodmen of America. After only three years at Modern Woodmen of America, he moved into leadership and was one of the top leaders in the company. He was highly admired, respected and viewed as a mentor by his colleagues. He was a man composed of integrity and believed anything was possible in life. Discipline, dedication, and hard work were the ingredients for a successful career in fraternal financial service organizations. Helping families secure their future was Bill's passion and was his way of giving back to the community. After 51 years securing financial securities for families, he began his next chapter in life, RETIREMENT!

Many of you may not know this in 2000, Bill was blessed with a successful kidney transplant with a perfect match from his brother, Ronnie that allowed his to witness the start of his grandchildren's lives.

Bill was as smart as they come about a variety of topics and loved sharing what he knew with others. During his years in Mississippi, the spring and summer months brought the avid crappie fisherman on Grenada Lake. In the fall and winter months, Bill was an avid white-tail deer hunter with fond memories of his trips to Colorado hunting mule deer. He loved nature and animals. We would often receive pictures of the racoons and geese he kept fed. He loved their Westie Gracie and missed Sweetie very much. Bill loved a good card game with his siblings when visiting Mississippi, Saints football was a must on Sunday afternoons, he liked his catfish fried extra crispy, and enjoyed a cold glass of milk.

Bill was a very patient man who loved and protected his family and friends. With his hard work ethic, he was blessed enough to provide a helping hand to family, friends, and strangers.

Bill is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sandra Vinzant; sons, Billy Vinzant, and Tommy Vinzant (Jennifer); four grandchildren, Chloe, Cali, Lily, and Nick; four sisters, Beth Braswell (Bobby), Martha White, Becky Walters, and Debbie Link (Mark); as well as his brother, Ronnie Vinzant (Carol).

Visitation will be held 10:00am until the Memorial Service to begin at 11:00am Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund (www.kidneyfund.org ), American Cancer Society (cancer.org), or to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org)

As a personal note from his family, life will not be the same. We, his family, will forever be grateful to God for putting him into our lives. Blessings should not be taken for granted, but cherished. Rest in Peace and reside in the glory of God.