Paul H. "Billy" Eubanks

8/12/1932 – 9/12/2012

Paul H. "Billy" Eubanks, 80, of Panama City, died Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012. Successful businessman, skilled craftsman, devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather…he was all that and more.

A proud product of Altha, Florida, Billy remained close to old friends and family there. As one of eight children, he learned the importance of hard work and helping others. His strong work ethic, goal focus, and persistence were evident at an early age. His work life began at about age 10 and continued for 66 years. Before college, he worked in a variety of jobs. He sold bagged peanuts to shipyard workers, served sodas in a local drug store, delivered produce, and worked in a hardware/lumber store. Using his earnings to help family was typical, like the time when his sister needed a dress for her prom and, he surprised her by using his savings to buy the dress. That was typical of the generosity he shared with his loved ones.

After two years of college, he married his longtime sweetheart and love of his life, Maedelle Smith. They settled in Panama City, where he worked his way up from assistant manager to President of First Federal Savings and Loan of Panama City. He retired after 42 years in banking, including nearly ten years at Commercial Bank/Sun Trust. Following retirement, he dedicated the remainder of his working life to serving as the business administrator for First Baptist Church. He loved every day of his work with the church, which he considered to be a calling. He was especially proud of his role in building the new sanctuary and parking garage.

He served on the boards of the Florida Savings and Loan Association and the U.S. Savings and Loan League. He was honored to represent the U.S. League on an Advisory Council to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. His involvement in local organizations included chairing the Panama City Port Authority, and serving on the boards of Gulf Coast Community College, the Bay County Guidance Clinic, and Easter Seals Society.

Building fine furniture was one of his favorite hobbies, a skill that is evident in the many pieces displayed in his home and admired by family and friends. Building a 17' cabin cruiser in his backyard that his family boated in for years was his first project as an adult, a remarkable feat that amazed all. He enjoyed drafting house plans, a skill that he used in designing homes for himself and others. He was an avid gardener, growing beautiful roses and maintaining a variety of seasonal blooming plants to enliven the back yard and view from the porch. In his younger days, he loved fishing, hunting, and camping; pastimes he shared with his son. He loved traveling the country, visiting almost every state in the U.S. and being enthralled by every new sight. His remarkable memory included an amazing ability to recall details of nearly every place he'd ever visited and the unique features of each locale. His storytelling ability was second to none, and he regaled family and friends with his funny stories of both recent events and youthful adventures.

One of his favorite stories was how he met his future wife, Maedelle, at a movie theatre one day. He crawled over several seats to get to meet her, but then let her slip out without getting her phone number. At a party soon after, he met her again, and asked her phone number right away…a number he could recite throughout his life.

He centered his life around his family. Left to treasure his memory are: his wife of 61 years, Maedelle Eubanks; son, Karl Eubanks (Barbara); daughter, Sherriah Lynn "Pris" Graff (Bill); grandchildren, Paige Graff Green (Jesse) and Lydia Graff; sister, Eleanor Kidder of St. Louis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A service honoring his memory will be held at the First Baptist Church of Panama City, on Friday, September 14 at 2 p.m., followed by burial at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church from 1 – 2 p.m. prior to the service. Pallbearers are Tommy (Charles) Lee , Pat Peacock, Paul Peacock , Don Roberts, Marshall Flowers, Charles Allen, and Jesse Green. Asked to serve as honorary pallbearers are Mack Webb, Dick Lippincott, Buford Ennis, Jerry Robinson, Stan Worsham, and Charles E. Smith.

Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Panama City Building Fund, P.O. Box 1200, Panama City, FL 32402 in memory of Billy Eubanks. Special thanks to Tammy Campbell, speech therapist and friend, staff and nurses of Bay Med Center, UAB NICU and Palliative Units and Covenant Hospice at BMC.

Wilson Funeral Home