Will Bazemore, beloved husband, cherished father, loyal friend, savvy businessman, avid Alabama football fan, and connoisseur of fine scotch passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

Wilbur Wendall Bazemore was born in Miami, FL on March 26, 1931, to Albert Cecil and Aris Julia Bazemore. In 1948 he enlisted in the US Navy as a teenager and served on USS Princeton (CV 37) and later joined the US Air Force which took him and his young wife and infant to a station in Germany in the years following WWII. He began a career with IBM upon returning to the US.

Will graduated in 1965 from Huntington College with a double major in physics and math while raising five children and working as an engineer. His determination to finish his degree served as inspiration to all of his children to do the same. His emphasis on the importance of education prevailed throughout his entire life.

He left IBM after working on the Saturn V project in Huntsville, AL and turned entrepreneur, starting some of the first modern Dairy Queens. Together with Winnie, they built a successful business that earned regional recognition and respect. The examples they set with customer service, employee relations, community commitment, and business acumen reflect their values and principles that guided them in all they have done.

Will loved his family and would do anything for any of them. After leaving his native Miami, he would load up the family Volkswagen and take the entire group from Alabama to Miami, with stops in old Florida along the way, to visit all of the relatives. He and Winnie were the glue of the family.

With a large family he didn't have a lot of extra time for hobbies, though he was incredibly adventurous, but he always loved picking at his guitar and exercising. In his later years, he was recognized by his gym for inspiring others to get and stay fit.

In addition to his many accomplishments, Will was a master storyteller. One of his favorite sources for his tales was his hunting camp in rural north Alabama where he loved spending time hunting with his sons.

Will supported countless causes and charities, a natural extension of his giving heart. If you met him, you would never forget him.

He is survived by his lifelong partner and wife of 71 years, Winnie; his children, DeeDee (Corbett), Gary (Susan), Randal (Cynthia), Julie (Steve), and Russell (Kathy); as well as eight adoring grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held 11:00am until a Celebration of Life Service to begin at 11:30am Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Care Hospice, 5041 N. 12th Ave., Pensacola, FL 32504.