Obituary for William A. Tanner
Published in the Tallahassee Democrat on
November 11, 2012  William
A. Tanner, 88, went home to be with His Lord on November 7, 2012. Bill was
born in New Smyrna, Florida on July 7th, 1924 to George W. Tanner and
Carrie McKenzie Tanner. After High School he became a Sergeant in the
United States Air Force and served for 3 years working as an aerial gunner
and mechanic. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He then enrolled and
attended Florida State University. He was the first baseman on FSU's first
baseball team in 1948 and was the first Seminole to hit a double in school
history. While at FSU he met Betty Galbraith and they were married in
December of 1949. Bill graduated in 1950 and soon after became a special
agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and served from 1951 to 1959
under J. Edgar Hoover. He left the F.B.I. to accept a position as the Chief
of Police at Florida State University in 1959 and faithfully served the
university and other law enforcement agencies until he retired in 1994.
During that time he served in many other roles including President of the
National Association of College and University Traffic and Security
Directors, President of the International Association of Campus Law
Enforcement Administrators and President of the Tallahassee Chapter of the
Power Squadron. He was awarded the Gold Key Man of the Year Award from
Florida State University in 1970. He enjoyed boating, fishing, working in
the yard and spending time with family. His definitive example of courage,
integrity, loyalty and steadfast service will continue to inspire those who
knew him for generations to come. He leaves behind his wife Betty; his son
Jim Tanner and wife Cindy; his daughter Allison and his 5 grandchildren
Benjamin Tanner, Trevor Beck, Billy Smith, Matthew Smith and Justin Smith.
|
