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William (Bill) Cody Sweetland, 91 years, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023, at his residence. He was born April 20, 1931, the only child to Alvin Cody Sweetland and Elizabeth (Lizzie) White Sweetland. Bill resided in Limestone County all his life.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Roberta M. Clem Sweetland, son Cody Sweetland (Ashley) of Niceville, FL. Four adopted grandchildren Ward Johnson, Ardmore, TN; Wayne Nixon, Birmingham, AL; Elizabeth Resendiz (Ivan) and Leigh Ann Bentley (Curt) both of Athens. Granddaughter Sabra Ann Rochell (Sam), Auburn, AL; and Will Cody Sweetland III (Chandra) Niceville, FL; great grand children: Cole Johnson, Ella Kate and Addison Resendiz; Halee, Macee and Dixie Bentley; Lucy Anne and Marshall Rochell. Step-daughters, Holly Clem Browning (Don), Jonesboro, AR; Sandra Clem Tucker (John), Decatur; and Becky Clem Hill (Travis), Athens. Step-grandchildren: Kayla McPhail (Carl), Houston, TX; Will Eubanks (Shannon), Fayetteville, AR; Austin Eubanks (Ruby), Fayetteville, AR; Dr. Anna-Grace Harrison (Alex), Springfield, MO; Dr. Colton Eubanks (Jordan), Tuscaloosa, AL; Dr. Alexandra Boren (Tot), Florence; Lauren Tucker, Decatur; Emily Hill and Mason Hill, Athens and five step-great Grands!
He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years and mother of his children, Cherie Flanagan Sweetland; daughter Leza S. Nixon, and his parents.
Bill graduated from Athens High School (class of 1948-1949); and Athens State College after returning from his tour of duty in Korea. Bill served his Country during the Korean War with the 1349th Company B Combat Engineers Battalion. Going from a recruit in the Alabama National Guard, to the position of Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves, Bill served for 30 years before his retirement. He worked for NASA and other government contractors on Redstone Arsenal during his tenure. After retirement, he owned and operated Sweetland Army Surplus store for a number of years.
He was a member of Northside Church of Christ where he attended faithfully until his health started deteriorating. Bill was known for always cracking some joke and making friends easily wherever he went. Some of those friends were like brothers, Dr. M. W. White, Ned Sullivan, Randy Townsend, and Carroll Mitchell.
Services will be held by Spry Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 7th. Visitation will be 11-1 with funeral immediately following in the chapel. Brother Gary Anderson from Northside Church of Christ will be officiating. Burial will be at Athens City Cemetery with Military Honors.
Pallbearers: Ward Johnson, Wayne Nixon, Will Sweetland, Sam Rochell, Ivan Resendiz, and Cole Johnson. Honorary pallbearers: Randy Townsend and Carroll Mitchell.
The family asks in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Affinity Hospice, Veterans Museum
in Athens, the American Cancer Society or Northside Church of Christ.
