William Earl “Bill” Sexton died on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at the age of 84. He was born January 5, 1932, in Madison, Alabama. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Edna Sexton.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Trotter Sexton; his two children, Tricia Sexton Heyward and husband, Barney, and Britt Sexton, and wife, Susan; and four grandchildren, Kristi Moss, Beau Moss, Gray Sexton and Aly Sexton.
Mr. Sexton graduated from Huntsville High School in 1949 where he lettered in basketball. Bill received a basketball scholarship given by The University of Alabama in 1949. While at Alabama, Bill lettered in basketball and tennis. Wearing jersey number 99, he played for Johnny Dee during the era in which Alabama rose to national prominence. He was elected team Basketball Captain for the 1954 season compiling a SEC record of 10-4.
Mr. Sexton received his B.S. in Education in 1954 from The University of Alabama, and furthered his education at Alabama by earning a Master of Arts in 1958. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. After graduation from Alabama, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.
In 1959 Bill entered the dry cleaning business and began Sexton, Inc. His business interests grew to include industrial uniforms, financial services, real estate and private equity. He had a keen interest in financial services and was a student of banking and lending.
Sexton became a highly respected entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist and community leader. Throughout his career, he was a tireless advocate for Decatur and its growth and development, particularly in the area of economic development and industrial recruitment. In 1969, Sexton was instrumental in the creation of the Industrial Development Association, an arm of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, in an effort to attract new business and industry to the area. He was a member of the University of Alabama President’s Cabinet. He also served as a member of the John C. Calhoun College Foundation, and as Board Chairman of the Decatur Municipal Utilities Board for 16 years. He was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of First American Bank. Following First American’s merger with Alabama National Bancorporation, he joined the board of Alabama National.
Sexton was a founding member of Decatur General Hospital Foundation Board and in 1993, he headed successful efforts to raise over $1 million to build the Oncology Clinic at Decatur General. He was also Decatur General’s John A. Caddell Gala IX Honoree.
Through the Sexton Family Charitable Foundation that he established in 1994, Bill Sexton generously supported countless charitable organizations, both locally and throughout Alabama, primarily focusing on health care and research, education, the arts and athletics. The William E. Sexton Endowed Scholarship in Education was established in his honor in 1994. Since he attended the University on a scholarship, he always felt that he “owed” a debt to the University and to future generations of students for whom a college education would otherwise be unattainable.
He was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Decatur and a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Decatur.
Mr. Sexton was elected to the Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame, the Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Paul W. Bryant Alumni Athlete Award by The University of Alabama in 2004.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 18th at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Decatur. Following the service there will be a Celebration of Life for Bill Sexton at 400 Water Street, N.E., Decatur, Alabama. The Sexton family is planning a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Decatur Morgan Hospital Foundation.
Honorary pallbearers will be his “Partners,” Barrett Shelton, W. F. Sanders, Lynn Fowler, Dan David, Al Jones, Tom Caddell, Dale Trammell, Skip Thompson, Doug Fisher, Mike Curl, Rickey Terry, Trudy Grisham, Paul Crawford, Joy Brown, John Holcomb, Stratton Orr, Bud Orr, Jimmy Smith, Lloyd Nix, Chris Harmon, Jack Fite Tommy Traylor and Jackie Satterfield.
Hartselle Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family.
