WALLACE H. LAIRD, JR.

Loving husband, father, grandfather (Pops) and great-grandfather; honest, caring and well-respected. Wallace H. Laird, Jr., 79, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. Born March 29, 1929 in Panama City, Florida to the late Wallace H. Laird, Sr. and Dorothy Albritton Laird, he was preceded in death by his son, Carl Stuart Laird and first wife, Elsa B. Laird. He was a lifelong resident of Bay County, Florida. He attended West Bay Advent Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Jean Warriner Laird, one brother, John S. Laird and wife Norma, of Panama City, three sisters, Patricia Hitchcock, and Martha Newton and husband Sam of Panama City, and Dorothy Foster and husband Quinton, of Salt Lake City, Utah; one son, John Alan Laird, of Panama City; two daughters, Robin Laird Bates and husband John, of Panama City, and Erin Laird Sullivan and husband Mike of Haines City, Florida; two step-sons, Allen Stanford and wife Sandy; Robert (Robby) Stanford and wife Charlene of Pensacola, Florida; one step-daughter, Tina Rutherford and husband Steve of Panama City; one grandson, Joey Laird, and one granddaughter, Lauren Laird and fiancé Jason Farmer; of Panama City, five step grandsons, Christopher Stanford, Taylor Stanford, and Bradley Stanford, of Panama City; Mitchell Stanford and Ryan Stanford of Navarre, Florida, one great-granddaughter (the light of his life) Ainsley Farmer, and numerous nieces and nephews. He graduated from St. Andrew Elementary School in 1942, Bay High School in 1946, and the University of Florida at Gainesville in 1955 with a degree in Forestry. Forestry was his life's passion and work. He served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines for two years, and in the U.S. Army for two years, in Germany during the Korean War. He served as President of the Florida Forestry Association in 1977-1978. He also served on the Board of Bay Medical Center, and was an instructor with the St. Andrew Bay Power Squadron. The family will be receiving friends at Wilson Funeral Home on Thursday, March 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. A private family memorial service will be held on Friday at West Bay Advent Christian Church. His family would be so grateful if you would take a moment on that day, wherever you are, and in your own way and your own faith, to remember him and his family. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Laird requested donations be made to the West Bay Advent Christian Church Youth Ministry/where needed, 6326 Laird Park Road, West Bay, FL 32413; Advent Christian Village, P.O. Box 4305, Dowling Park, FL 32064, Emerald Coast Hospice, 2925 Martin Luther King Blvd, Panama City, FL 32405 or to the charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be submitted and viewed online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.net. Christopher, Taylor, Bradley, Mitchell, Ryan Stanford and Steve Rutherford will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Wilson Funeral Home