William Douglas Price, Sr., born August 8, 1931, in the Ocheesee Community and raised in the Shady Grove Community, in Jackson County, Florida, passed away Sunday evening, June 12, 2016 at his home in Calhoun County surrounded by his loving family.
Doug graduated from Grand Ridge High School, a member of the class of 1949. He served three years in US Army National Guard, during the Korean Conflict. Doug was briefly employed at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee and then worked in construction/ pipe insulation, until 1957, when he moved his growing family to their farm in Calhoun County. In addition to farming, Doug supported his family at Newport Chemical Industry in Telogia, Florida, where he served as job steward, with the Asbestos Workers Union, Local #55, out of Mobile, Alabama. Doug and his wife, Sarah Frances Wood, were married August 25, 1950. By August 25, 1957, they lived on their Calhoun County farm, with their five children, in a tiny travel trailer. They later built their family home in the same location.
In 1964, Doug and his family were named ASCS Farm Family of the Year. He farmed full-time until his retirement in 2000.
Elected in 1968 to the Calhoun County School Board, Doug served honorably for 20 years.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, William Davis Price and Velma Goodson Price Sims; his grandfather, William Alex Price, and his grandmother, Florence Hardwick Price, who raised him as their own son; a special aunt, Louzelle Price; his brothers, Charles Davis Price and Willard B. Price; his son, William Douglas Price, Jr.; and an adopted son, William Leon Neal.
Survivors include his wife of almost 66 years, Frances Price; son, David (Sue) Price; daughters, Connie Price, Janet (Bruce) Edewaard, Cherie White, all of Blountstown; daughter-in-law, Kathy (Sammy) Smith Price Johnson; grandchildren, Samantha (Bryan) Taylor, Dougie (Rhonda) Price, Dan (Kelly) Price, April (Kris) Money, Mark Guilford, Sarah Jo Price, Dr. Christopher White, Laura (Adam) Roberts, Dusty (Micki) Price, Emily (Josh) Phares, Jessica (Ryan) Cherry, Kori (Wes) McCormick, Sarah Lynn White, Meagan Roulhac, Seth (Jenn) Edewaard, Kara Edewaard; Terry Neal, Amanda Neal, Billy Neal, Ashley Neal, Anthony Neal; Stefanie and Eric (Alissa) McDaniel. Doug is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren, including Shelly, Shanna, Hunter, Will, Jeff, Devan, Chasen, Carson, A.J., Anna, Abigail, Mila, Cole, Carter, Lala, Keira, Laurel, Trevor, Caden, Angela, Lauren, Abby, Cole, Liam, Elijah, Paige, Haley and Mason.
Visitation was held Tuesday, June 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, CST, at Adams Funeral Home in Blountstown. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 15, at the Blountstown Middle School Auditorium, at 4:00 PM, with Adams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
A private burial will follow at Wood Cemetery, on John F. Bailey Road, west of Blountstown off SR 20.
Flowers will be accepted, but memorial donations may be made to the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, 17869 NW Pioneer Settlement Road, Blountstown, FL 32424.