William Avant Melvin

I have fought the fine fight, I have run the race to the finish. I have observed the faith.

- 2 Timothy 4:7

William Avant Melvin was born on May 24, 1954 in Wilson, North Carolina to Avant and Alice Melvin. The family later moved to Lexington, Kentucky. His parents and sister, Georgianna Melvin, preceded him in death.

After graduating from Lafayette High School in 1973, William enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for 20 years as a transportation specialist. His travels took him to various assignments in Thailand, Japan, Great Britain, South Korea, and several states. During his British tour, he met Carolyn Dawkins. They were married on August 10, 1985 and were together for 40 years.

Upon his retirement from Travis Air Force Base, California, William worked in the local community while taking care of his family. They moved to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in 1995 and remained there until his wife’s retirement in 1999, after which the family settled permanently in Niceville, Florida.

William began studying while living in South Carolina and was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on July 1, 2023. He attended services regularly and was very active until his health began to fail.

William transitioned peacefully on December 5, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, daughter: Emma Williams, sons: Sheldon, William Jr. (Tonisha), Christopher, and Patrick (Timea Juhasz) Melvin, grandchildren: Tamesha Barner and Richard Suter, Leshelle and Jordan Hayes, William III, Christopher, and Damien Melvin, great-grandchildren: Romeo Zuniga, Apollo (Polly) Barner, and Gaia Suter, nephews: Anthony (Samantha, son Anthony Jr.) and Cornelius Bentley, nieces: Jasmine Bensley (Dalton, children Ava, Ozzi, Danni), Janessa Melvin (daughter Olivia), and Jennifer Tuimaseve.

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