William (Bill) M. Herndon

William (Bill) M. Herndon, (BMCS, USN, RET.), 72, of Valdosta died on Friday, June 07, 2013 at his residence following a brief illness. He was born on June 19, 1940 in Montcalm, West Virginia to the late Joseph and Bertha Bell Herndon. He grew up in nearby Williamson, West Virginia and upon completion of high school, enlisted in the Navy. He retired from the United States Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer having served his country from July 19, 1958 to July 19, 1977. He was a Viet Nam Veteran and was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Combat Action Ribbon (usually reserved for Navy Seals), Good Conduct Medal with 4 stars and the National Defense Service Medal.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Evelyn Knowles Herndon of Lake Park; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Mike and Dottie Herndon of Dasher and Chuck Herndon of Columbus; two step-sons and their spouses, Darrel and Harumi Bowen of Woodland Hills, California and Greg and Kim Bowen of Lake Mary, Florida; a daughter-in-law, Kuni Tomita of Sherman Oaks, California; 10 grandchildren, Mitchell Herndon, Joey Herndon, Katherine Herndon, Caleb Herndon, Rachelle Bowen, Christina Bowen, Arthur Bowen, Emily Bowen, Hannah Bowen and Noelle Bowen; two brothers, Edmund Herndon of Michigan and Frank Herndon of Taylorsville, North Carolina; brothers and sisters-in-law, Billy and Louise Wagman of Lake Alfred, FL, Tom and Doris Henderson of Dundee, FL, W.L. and Helen Knowles of Winter Haven, FL, Walter and Jackie Knowles of Haines City, FL, Leroy and Sharon Knowles of Winter Haven, FL, Keith and Charlotte Applegeet, Valdosta, John and Darlene Macchione of Haines City, FL, Ed and Margie Feagle of Welaka, FL; sisters-in-law, Berta Mae Bopp of Pensacola, FL, and Louise VanValkenburg of Orlando, FL; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leila Viola Herndon.
Services for Bill Herndon will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013 in the chapel of the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home with Rev. Robert Dawson, Mr. Billy Wagman, Mr. Elton Brunty, and Mr. Mike Herndon officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 4-6 p.m. at McLane Lakewood Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. McLane Lakewood.


Funeral Home:
McLane Lakewood Funeral Home
3119 West Marion Avenue
Lake Park, GA
US 31636