William T. Ramsey, Jr., 78, a 43 year resident of Indian Springs Village, passed away at home on February 17, 2012, after a brief battle with an aggressive lung cancer. "Bill", the son of William Truman and Lucy King Ramsey, both deceased, was born in Meridian, MS, January 17, 1934, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. He graduated from Sidney Lanier HS 1952 and Auburn University 1957. His college years were interrupted by a short stent in the US Air Force where he achieved his goal of learning to fly jets. He returned to the Air National Guard where he flew reconnaissance jets on weekends with other "weekend warriors." Bill was known to fly low over the Auburn stadium and his aunt's farm in Gordo, AL. His work career was with IBM, Merrill Lynch and Prudential Securities. He had a life-long attachment to his coworkers in those firms and golfed and fished with many of them.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerne Davis Ramsey; his sister, Joyce Byrne Lowell of Roswell, GA; nephew, Michael Byrne ( Shelley) of Pottsville, PA; nieces, Laura Byrne Fraime (Steve) of Dallas, GA; and Melinda Byrne Barrie (John) of Norcross, GA; grand nephew Nathan Byrne and grand nieces, Hannah and Emma Byrne and Sammi Fraime.

Bill was surrounded during his illness by the presence of countless loving friends who cherished him for his loyal, enduring friendship and his jolly celebrations of Friday nights. His last expressions were of gratitude for the generosity of his friends during his terminal period. His wife is grateful for their continuing support.

A memorial service will be at the Southern Heritage Chapel on AL Hwy 119 on Friday, February 24, at 3 pm with a reception immediately following. Bill's ashes will be placed in the pedestal of a family bench in the garden surrounding a small lake at Southern Heritage Cemetery.

The family requests that memorials be directed to FOR Nicaraguan Health, 3120 Warrington Road, Birmingham AL 35223 or Makena Children's Foundation, 4138 Crossings Lane, Birmingham, AL 35242, or just a promise to be thoughtful of others every day.

Southern Heritage Funeral Home

475 Cahaba Valley Rd., Pelham, Al 35124

205-988-3511