William F. Betts of Cedar Key entered the larger life on Monday, January 11, under the gentle and compassionate care of the staff of Haven Hospice in Chiefland, Florida. He was born July 25, 1913, in Chicago to Leon M. and Bessie McDuffie Betts. He graduated from Norwich University in 1935 and spent his forty-year business career with the Association of American Railroads, primarily in Washington, DC. After his retirement in 1976 as a Vice President, Mr. Betts settled in Cedar Key along with his wife, Janet Hale Betts, a Cedar Key native. He was a founding member of the Cedar Key Historical Society which he served as Vice President, and he was active in the Cedar Key Lions Club. While living in suburban Washington, DC, he served a term as mayor of the Town of Somerset, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
He was an active member of St. John`s Episcopal Church, Bethesda, MD, where he served on the vestry and as Senior Warden, and of Christ Church, Cedar Key, where he served as Treasurer for over twenty years.
A lifelong devoted golfer, he was a member of the Norwich University golf team, and he continued to play into his nineties.
His wife, whom he married in 1940, died in 2008. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Charles Hale and Patricia Kady Betts of Washington, DC, his daughter and son-in-law, Jane Cringan and Samuel S. Ireland of Gaithersburg, MD, three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Friends will be welcome to call at the family home at any time.
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church, Cedar Key, at 1 p.m. on Sunday, January 17.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Key, or Haven Hospice, Chiefland, FL.
Arrangements are under the care of Knauff Funeral Home-Chiefland |
