William Barnes Langley

Published 3:52 pm Wednesday, June 18, 2014

William Barnes Langley, 89, of Tallahassee, Fla., died Tuesday, June 17, 2014. He was born in 1924, in Cuthbert, to Edwin and Effie (Collins) Langley, and moved to Tallahassee from Lakeland, Fla., as a child. At age 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and became an infantryman. He was a combat veteran of World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Promoted to the rank of sergeant at age 20, he was a three-time recipient of the Bronze Star (awarded the Bronze Star with two oak-leaf clusters). After the war, he was a commander of the Florida National Guard, C Troop, 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry. Retiring from the military, he became a prominent local businessman in Tallahassee, first as the executive vice president of Florida Savings & Loan, and later as a real estate broker, mortgage broker and real estate appraiser. He then became a senior real estate appraiser for the state of Florida and retired in 2003. He was a member of Bradfordville First Baptist Church. William Langley was united in marriage in 1969, to his beloved wife, Martha, who preceded him in death in 2008. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Eddie Mae Langley. Survivors include a daughter, Martha Ann (Andrew) Hildebrandt of Midway, Fla.; stepsons, Benjamin (Janet) Gunter, of Tallahassee, and Joseph (Melody) Gunter, of Thomasville; stepdaughters, Laura (Dan) Kimel, Meg (Bill) Hilaman, all of Tallahassee; sisters, Margaret Langley, of Midway, Fla., Charlotte Ann Fulghum, of Tallahassee; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Graveside services are at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, June 19, 2014, at Vickers Cemetery, Havana, Fla.