Bill Olan Backus passed away peacefully in his home January 14th at the age of 71 surrounded by his family and his beloved cats.
He was a lifelong Jacksonville resident, the son of Lee & Joyce Backus. He graduated Jacksonville high School in 1970. He attended Harry M. Ayers Technical College receiving an Associate Degree in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in 1972. He started Bill’s Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center when he graduated and was self employed for over 50 years, maintaining his HVAC license, Master Gas Fitter & Plumber license, Refrigerant Certifications and Master Electrician Certification and all of the continued education credit requirements for all of his State of Alabama Licenses.
He worked alongside his parents at Lee’s Mart as the Service Manager. He then went to work for Climate Control, Inc. traveling throughout the southeast installing HVAC and servicing refrigeration units.
After having two small children, he stopped traveling for work and returned to Jacksonville in 1989 to become the Office & Service Manager for Galloway Real Estate Rentals.
In 1990, he and his Dad began a 3 year complete renovation and opened Lee’s BBQ in Anniston.
He became the restaurant manager while still working as Service Manager of 100+ commercial and residential property units. In 2006, Lee’s BBQ transitioned to Bill’s BBQ until the decision was made to close the restaurant and take care of his ailing Father full time after the passing of his Mother. He went back to work full time after the passing of his Father, with various jobs working at Piedmont Hardware, Jacksonville Day Care Center and as Property Maintenance Manager with Gateway Management Co., Brookstone Village Apartments. He retired in 2014. He enjoyed his retirement years on his farm with his assortment of animals.
Throughout his life, He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing, motorcycle riding, taking his family on Sunday drives to visit Civil War Battlegrounds and Lock & Dams all over the South. He was happiest drinking coffee and reading any paper.
He is survived by his daughter, Katherine and son-in-law Vince Conn.
His son, Spencer, and daughter-in-law, Valerie Backus, a grandson Sawyer Backus. The Mother of his children, Susan Backus. Brother’s Bob Backus and Mike and his wife Cindy Backus. His nephew Scott Backus and his family. Niece Missy Jones and her family.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lee and Joyce Backus. Grandparents, Henry and Dessie Mae Backus and Fain and Margaret Cole. Sister-in-Law Joanne Backus.
Family and friends are invited to share in the food and fellowship as we celebrate his life on Sunday, April 14th, beginning at 1 PM at Holly Rock on the family farm.
In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held in the Fireside Room at the Jacksonville Community Center.
