Mr. William Floyd Dendy passed away peacefully in his home with his loving wife by his side on May 2, 2018 at the age of 98. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Youngset (T.Y.) Dendy; mother, Ariebelle Jones Dendy; and brothers, Milton and Troy Dendy.
Life began for Floyd on October 12, 1919 in a farmhouse at Route 4 in Boaz, Alabama. From an early age, his parents and extended family instilled in him the meaning of responsibility, value of education and dedication to Christian values.
Education was a priority in the Dendy household, as most of Floyd’s aunts and uncles were teachers. With this background, he was taught to read before starting school. His formal education began in a three room junior high school, named Pine Grove, which was established on land donated by his grandfather. After graduating from Douglas, Floyd wanted to continue his education but found economic conditions would delay that endeavor. Three years out of high school, he accepted an opportunity to work part-time and attend Jacksonville State Teachers college. It was here that he would meet his future wife, Mary James Patton. Two years after beginning his part-time work, the program was terminated. Determined to complete his degree, Floyd found part-time work, sometimes holding as many as three jobs simultaneously. At the end of his junior year in college, his formal education was again interrupted, this time by World War II.
Floyd was drafted into the Army Air Corps shortly after World War II began. While serving as a meteorologist, he was designated for overseas duty and became a solider in the Ninth Air Force, with the first heavy bomber unit deployed to the Middle East. Attached to the Ninety-Eighth bomb group, he was instrumental in establishing the first field weather station to service the United States’ B-24 units in the upper Sahara Desert. During Floyd’s service on the battle front, his unit was engaged in five major campaigns for which he received five Bronze battle stars. When the war ended, Floyd had served thirty months overseas. He returned to the United States on June 18, 1945 ready to start his postwar life. A month later on July 15, 1945, Floyd would marry his college sweetheart, Mary James Patton. He and Mary James moved to Anniston so that Floyd could complete his service at Fort McClellan. He was honorably discharged on August 30, 1945.
Determined to give himself and his new wife a better life, Floyd returned to Jacksonville (now known as Jacksonville State College) to complete his bachelor’s degree. After teaching for a few years, Floyd furthered his education by receiving a Master’s degree from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Floyd dedicated ten years of his life to teaching Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Although he loved the profession, economic conditions lead Floyd to begin a new career with the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. This new pursuit would move Floyd, his wife and two daughters, Amelia and Mary to Huntsville. Here, Floyd and Mary James created their permanent home. Floyd spent the next thirty years working tirelessly for the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center and NASA.
Not only was Floyd a devoted husband and dedicated father, he was also a passionate member and leader in the Masonic Lodge. To Lodge members, Floyd was known as “Brother Bill”. In late 1947, Floyd petitioned Fort Payne Lodge #437F.&A.M. to receive the Blue Lodge degrees. He was accepted and initiated as an Entered Apprentice on March 31, 1948. He was passed to the Fellowcraft Degree on May 19, 1948 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by the Most Worshipful Grand Master on July 1, 1948. Floyd affiliated with Helion Lodge #1 F.&A.M. on August 7, 1973. He affiliated with Apollo Lodge #921 F.&A.M. on August 7, 1984. Floyd served Apollo Lodge as Treasurer for two years; Senior Warden (1986-87) and Worshipful Master (1987-88). The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Alabama commissioned him to serve as Chairman of the Education and Public Relations Committee and also as Chairman of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association in the Grand Lodge of Alabama for 1992.
“Brother Bill’s” York Rite degrees received are as follows:Chapter – Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason on May 5, 1978Council – Royal Master and Select Master on May 6, 1978; Super Excellent Master on May 16, 1978
Offices and Honors:
High Priest 1982-83
T.III Master 1989-90
Commander 1985-86
Anointed High Priest 1983
Order of the Silver Trowel 1989
Knight Crusader of the Cross 1989
K.Y.C.H. July 21, 1990
“Brother Bill’s Scottish Rite degrees were conferred in May 1971. He became a very active member and served in many capacities at the local and state levels.
Venerable Master – Lodge of Protection
Trustee, Scottish Rite Foundation of Alabama,
Inc. 1972 to 1996+
Director of Scottish Rite Funeral Team several
years, later serving as Master of the
Funeral ceremony
President Emeritus of the Scottish Rite
Foundation of Alabama, Inc.
Chairman, Education and Americanism for
Alabama
Chairman, Bicentennial Activities in Alabama
1986-91
Chairman, Alabama Scottish Rite Double Eagle
Golf Association
Member of the Scottish Rite Foundation
Executive Committee
Member of the Scottish Rite Foundation
Scholarship Awards Committee
Orient Personal Representative of the SGIG,
June 6, 1994 – 1996+
Honors received include:
Knight Commander Court of Honor, December
10, 1977
Inspector General Honorary 33◦, December 14,
1985
Affiliated Bodies:
Knight Mason 1981
Alabama College SRICF- September 24, 1983,
VII◦ – January 21, 1984, Celebrant 1992-93
Monte Sano York Rite College #64, October 12,
1989, Governor 1990-92
Holy Sepulcher Conclave, Red Cross of
Constantine, March 8, 1985, Puissant Sovereign
1994
Charter Member Ten Shepiroth Council #255
AMD, 1989 Soverreign Master 1993-94
Order of Corks 1992
Red Branch of Erie May 14, 1993
Grand Council Royal Ark Mariner 1992
Royal Order of Scotland August 12, 1978
Redstone Chapter 353 National Sojourners, June
1993, Second Vice President, MIP
Heroes of 76’ February 18, 1995
Great Priory of America – CBCS February 19,
1993
“Brother Bill” became a Charter Member of Cahaba Shrine Temple on June 19, 1971. As a member of the Clown Unit (buffoons), “Brother Bill” worked with the disabled and burned children. He assisted in transporting many children to and from the Shrine Hospitals, spent many hours entertaining children including special parties for critically ill patients. “Brother Bill” had the privilege to serve in several official positions including:
Director of the Cahaba Buffoons
Secretary/Tresaurer of the Dixie Shrine Clowns
President of the Dixie Shrine Clowns 1983
Potentate’s Representative for Scottish and York
Rite
“Brother Bill” was a member of the One Hundred Million Dollar Club since its origination.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Mary James Patton Dendy; two daughters, Amelia Bhatnager and Mary Weatherford (husband, Michael); five grandchildren, Neal Bhatnager (wife Maggie), Myra Bhatnager (husband Nicholas), Shannon Hoyle (husband Michael), Patrick Weatherford, and Kyle Weatherford (wife Katherine), and six great-grandchildren, Zoe Bhatnager, Kira Bhatnager, Erin Shelton, Bailey Shelton, Lily Shelton and Killian Weatherford.
Funeral services will be held graveside at Maple Hill Cemetery, Huntsville on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3:00 pm with Bryan Martin officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 pm at Laughlin Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. (https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate)
