Reverend William (Bill) Lawrence Sullivan, of Tavares, Florida, died at home, Sunday April 24, 2016, in the loving care of his wife, family, and Compassionate Care Hospice of Tavares, Florida. Reverend Sullivan was born in Birmingham, Alabama to Phillip Joseph Sullivan and Martha Louise Gilbert, May 19, 1930. He had one sister and three brothers.
He was preceded in death by Charlotte Sapp (Sister), Phillip Sullivan (Brother), and Dr. Gilbert Sullivan (Brother).
Bill graduated from Ensley High School, Birmingham, Alabama in 1947. Bill served as a weatherman in the Alabama Air National Guard and played Semi-pro Baseball for several years after High School. He was recruited by the New York Yankees, but he chose marriage to his sweetheart, Frances Maureen Wyatt in 1949. His record for strikeouts of opposing team batters as a pitcher was never broken in Birmingham according to reliable sources.
In his working career, Bill first ran Blueprints at O’Neal Steel, Birmingham, AL. Learning his trade for the next 15 years, as a Structural Steel Draftsman, with Ben McGimsey, of McGimsey & Assoc., Birmingham, AL. Retired from Baseball, Bill (Silky) would eventually Bowl Semi-Pro for several years and was an avid low handicapped Golfer, until a break in his right femur would retire his clubs.
Bill moved his family to Winter Park, Florida from Birmingham, AL in 1965. He accepted a job with a Drafting Firm in Longwood, Florida, whom had secured a contract to draw steel for the construction of Disney World. Some of the contract Bill drew was the spirals of Cinderella’s Castle and Robinson Crusoe’s Tree House.
In 1969, at the age of 38, Bill would lose the site in his right eye. As a boy at age 6, Bill injured his left eye in a BB Gun Accident. At age 10 he lost the vision in his left eye. In 1970 Bill was declared legally blind. It was at this time Bill and Maureen would hear the call of God on their lives for ministry.
In 1974 Bill was ordained and began Abundant Life Ministries, in Lake Ola, Florida. From 1970, thru present, Reverend Bill and Maureen have prayed, taught, preached, led, and encouraged, the lost, the homeless, the sick, the wounded and the imprisoned with the Forgiving, Healing and Transforming Love of Jesus with the message of, “The Cross”. For the last 10 years of Reverend Bill’s ministry he was the, Chaplain of the 33rd Street Jail, Orlando, Florida until 2008.
Reverend Sullivan and Maureen, fellowshipped, worshipped and supported, as Media Members, The Family Worship Center, of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Baton Rouge, LA. SBN Network (Sonlight Broadcasting Network) for the last 13 years. Bill enjoyed listening to SBN day and night.
Reverend Bill Sullivan is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Maureen Sullivan, Tavares, FL, Robert Sullivan (Brother), Birmingham, AL., Children Donna (Kenny) Hatley, Clermont, FL, Don (Kim) Sullivan, Mt Dora, FL, Diane (Bobby)Van Horn, Bedford, VA, Denise (Carl) Munn, Leesburg, FL. Grandchildren, Scott Stiglich, Siesta Key, FL, Cheri (Ray) Lopez, St Thomas, Virgin Islands, John (Megan) Thiltgen -Hatley, Denver, CO, Keli (Cory) Clarke, Longwood, FL., Kristi (Jon) Dickison, Clermont, FL, Donny Sullivan, Mt Dora, FL., Wendi (Chip) Keaton, Morristown, TN, Bobby (Katie) Van Horn, Bend, OR, Clint Munn, Leesburg, FL, Chris (Darlene) Munn, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Cailey (Tyler) Boylston, Jacksonville, FL. Great Grandchildren; Brandon, Ashlee (Josh), Luke, Matthew, Marli, Reese, Anniston, Bryce, Nathan, Madison, Olivia, Allison, Anna, Carter, Taylar, Gavin, Lilyann, Liam and Lennon.
Services will be held Saturday May 14, 10:00 AM at Loomis Family Funeral Home, 420 W Main St., Apopka, FL. A gathering to follow, at the home of, Donna and Kenny Hatley, Clermont, FL.
Service
Memorial Service
Woodlawn Memorial Park
400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd Gotha 34734
2016-05-14
10:00:00
This heritage started 67 years ago with Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, who founded the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1934. In 1938 Francis E. Loomis, son of Pastor Herbert F. Loomis, received his license to practice Mortuary Science and in 1941 established Loomis Funeral Home of Winter Garden, FL. 
420 W Main St
Apopka, FL 32712-3452
Ken Hatley says
Don and Kim Sullivan says
Tom Haycock says
What an amazing & fulfilling life he lead. So sorry for your loss.
Carol Tillis says
Chris Conomos and Stacy Pope Conomos says
Gaylia says
Joann says
Patty Keaton says
Sherry Barnes says
Bill truly touched many lives -mine included. He was special for sure. I know he will be so missed as he was dearly loved !
Diane Van Horn says
Sean Boudreaux says
Mr. Sullivan, or as I knew him, Mr. Bill, is a man who has always been precious to myself and my family.
I don’t think I can adequately express in a few words how much he meant to us and guided us over the years. His wisdom and compassion were almost intimidating in their depth and we knew that everything he said and did was from love.
I would like to avoid cliche when speaking of Mr. Bill but it is almost impossible as he embodies (still) the best in men and faith in God.
Fair winds and following seas, sir. We will meet again.
Expression of Sympathy says
A MONET’S GARDEN TABLE BASKET was ordered on May 2, 2016
Jon, Kristi and Bryce Dickison says
BOBBY & PATSY PORTWOOD & FAMILY says
SORRY TO HERE THIS FROM WHAT I READ ABOUT HIM IN HIS OBITUARY HE WAS A GREAT PERSON WE KNOW BRANDON AND ASHLEEY WHEN THEY WHERE LITTLE KIDS THEY ARE GREAT KIDS WE WILL BE PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY IN THESE SAD TIMES.
THE PORTWOOD FAMILY says
Nick Moch and family. says
Bob and Diane Van Horn says
Bobby, Katie, Anna, and Carter Van Horn says
Maureen Sullivan says
Maureen Sullivan says
My precious sweetheart is in his eternal home , most likely still on his knees praising his Father God . Bill was a wonderful husband he taught me many things about life and the way to live it!! I will miss our time together praying and reading the word . I am happy knowing my Bill now has eyes to see and ears to hear legs to walk and run on. You were the love of my life and I will miss you very much but I will meet you one of these days soon. Loving you with all my
Dan & Nan Skipper says
Gail Gillies Walsh says
Dear Maureen and family,
I am so sorry that no one from our Gillies family could be there with you all today to share in the celebration of Bills life. I extend my deepest sympathies to you all, and to you Maureen, for the loss of the love of your life. I pray for peace and comfort today and the days ahead, for each and every one who knew and loved Bill.
I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”
John 11:25-26
Love in Christ!
Keith and Gail (Gillies) Walsh