Wilson J Sherrell

Colonel Wilson J. Sherrell, U.S. Army (Ret.) age 83, of Niceville, FL, passed away peacefully on 14 June 2020 surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. Born on October 27, 1936 in Gadsden, Alabama, Wil graduated from Emma Samson High School in Gadsden. Later he received a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Jacksonville State University where he played baseball and basketball and was the ROTC Battle Group Commander.

Commissioned in 1959, Wil retired after almost 35 years of serving his country; first as an Army officer, and later as a Department of Army Civilian. Among his many Army assignments included a combat tour in Vietnam with the 1^st Cavalry Division; Thailand as the XO to the Chief, Army Advisory Group and later, Plans Officer for the Joint Casualty Resolution Center negotiating the transfer of remains of US Prisoners of War as well as the execution of actual remains recovery; two tours in Germany culminating as the G-4 of the Berlin Brigade at the height of the Cold War; three assignments in Atlanta, GA at FORSCOM and 2d Army; and two tours in Hawaii as the Director Of Logistics for US Army Support Command; and after retiring from the Army, Civilian Director of Logistics for US Army Support Command, Hawaii.

Among his many awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/1OLC, the Air Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Gold Bar, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and the Commanders Award for Civilian Service.  

In retirement, Wil and his loving wife of 62 years, Fran Sherrell, moved to Bluewater Bay in Niceville. Wil was an avid golfer and served as President of the Bluewater Bay Golf Association. He and Fran have been members of Crosspoint United Methodist Church in Niceville for more than 20 years.

Wil leaves to mourn his passing his wife Fran; son Skip, and his wife Lauri; daughter Cherie Van Atta, and husband, Bobby; grandchildren Ashley Sherrell Healy; Heather Sherrell Millington; Christina Sherrell Caple; Allison Van Atta; and Adrianne Van Atta; three great grandsons, Alden Chandler Millington; Rylan Chandler Healy; Everett Alan Millington; sisters Donna Gail Proffitt of Auburn, AL and Sandra Swinford of Pell City, AL.

Wil was preceded in death by his father Jerome M. Sherrell; his mother; Canola Marbut Smith, and his step-father, H. E. Smith.

Wil’s family and friends mourn the loss of this kind man, who will be remembered for his honesty, compassion, his service to others and his country, and the enduring love of his family.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1000 on Friday, 19 June, with the Celebration of Life Service immediately following at 1100 at the Crosspoint United Methodist Church, Niceville, FL.

Private family burial will follow at the Heritage Gardens Cemetery.

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