William Blaine (Bill) Mardis, 77, of Florence, surrounded by family, went home to be with the Lord he loved and served on February 25, 2014, after suffering a stroke at church nine days earlier. A celebration of his home-going will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 1 at Highland Baptist Church Florence preceded by visitation from 9-11. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memorial Cemetery. John T. Brock and Rev. John G. Brock will officiate.

Bill has been a member of Highland since 1956, except for the 13 years he attended North Village Baptist. He served as a deacon, choir member, youth teacher, GROW leader, member of Bill Hyde''s Sunday School class, and a member of the Pastor Search Committee. However, he will be remembered most for his classic smile and wit, nickname calling, encouraging personality, and his friendship and hugs.

Bill was a self employed agent for Cotton States Insurance for 30 years and previously worked for Stylon and Met Life. He was a lifetime resident of Florence and graduated from Coffee High School in 1955.
As an avid Alabama football fan, he attended three national championship games. "Roll Tide" was one of the last things he said. In younger years, he played softball for Highland and other civic teams.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Bette Lynne Staley Mardis, daughter Lynne Graves (Thomas), sons Blaine (Rebecca) and Roger (Michelle), grandchildren Chris Smith (Rachel), Jennifer Creasy (Jeremy), Ashley Smith (Parker), Andrew, Katie Leigh, Zach, Stephen and Mae Beth Mardis, brother Jim Mardis (Mary Sue), sister-in-law Marilyn Friedman (Louis), brother-in-law Charles Staley, step grandchildren Amy Goff, Charles (Stephanie), Kaitlyn and Peter Graves, Andrew Klingaman and step great grandchildren Peter Goff and Thomas Graves, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Pall bearers are Chuck Gilmore, Jack Bobo, Tom Childers, Frank Dean, Keith Collier, Drew Williams, Jim Trousdale, and Hal Williams. Honorary pall bearers are Highland Deacons, Bill Hyde''s Sunday School class, Prayer Partners (19 years), Jim Holland, Gene Tackett, Bill Farris, Domino buddies, and special friends Ronnie Phillips, Mike Vaughn and Ronnie Hendricks.

At Bill''s request, in lieu of flowers, please make any memorial to Highland Baptist Church building fund, 219 Simpson Street Florence, AL 35630.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to Drs. Stephen Phillips, Lyman Mitchell, Hisham Ba''Albaki, Eddie Holden, ECM ICU and all nurses, J.W. Sommer, and The Summit Rehabilitation Centers, Integrity Therapy, Gentiva Home Health, and especially our Jehovah Rapha who helped Bill have 18 additional months of life.

Bill was a tough, determined fighter. He knew he was blessed, but he said, "I am going to walk again someday without this walker..." and now he is!