William Daye's Obituary
William “ Bill” Aldine Daye of Lakeland, Florida; formerly of Knoxville TN and Miami, Florida.
Triumphantly joined the loving arms of his mother Catherine and father Gussie Daye in heaven July 14, 2017 after his courageous battle with lung cancer. Born March 4, 1931 on the banks of the St. Johns River in West Tocoi, Florida. As a young boy he experienced life in many small towns throughout Florida. He loved to dance and once danced on the bar of the Brahma Restaurant in Ocala, Florida for Esther Williams and her Hollywood crew while she was filming a movie in Silver Springs, Florida. Ever the entertainer, Bill as a young man rode a Brahma Bull in the Ocala rodeo. Bill later moved to Miami, Florida where he was employed by Otis Elevator and became the Business Representative for the International Union of Elevator Constructors local 71. Throughout his 30 year career in Miami he had the occasion to meet many famous people; including Frank Sinatra and the members of the “Rat Pack” at the Fountainbleau Hotel. Bill was a humanitarian and while servicing an elevator at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami December 29, 1972, Eastern Flight 401 went down in the Everglades. Bill assisted with the transport of survivors. His daughters most remember him coming to their aid after Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992. Bill rescued his 5 year old grandson Benjamin and returned to Tennessee with him. Bill is survived by his daughters Donna Davis and Susan Daye Richards and their spouses Dwight Davis and John Richards, Stepdaughters Sheena Doyle and Connie Hope and their mother Ruth Day of Lenoir City TN. Bill was blessed with four grandchildren, Benjamin Davis, Molly Richards, Amethyst and Jason Gulvartian as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill is survived by his constant companion Scruffy. Scruffy never left his side throughout his illness. Bill will be remembered as a generous and compassionate man. His family will forever mourn his death,
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