Gail 'Bill' O. Biggert

Gail O. "Bill" Biggert 1/17/1940 to 1/1/2021Son of Charles Biggert & Carolyn "Carrie" Watkins Hoyle, brother of Ella Mae Combs & James Combs. Survived by his wife of 59 years, Flo, his children, Renee Mainwaring, Michelle Thomas and William Biggert and grandson, Sean Mainwaring.In his young life, Bill was the youngest civilian HAM Radio Operator in the State of Florida. He joined the Florida National Guard at 15, while attending Andrew Jackson High School, where he learned to drive all type of vehicles from a basic jeep to a tank retrieval vehicle. He served in the Army National Guard and the Air Force National Guard collectively for 15 years, as an E-6, Staff Sergeant.Bill started working in Television Broadcasting while still in high school. He started his 46 year career at WTLV-12 as a Master Control Operator, eventually working at other TV Stations in the state as a TV Broadcast Engineer and later Chief Engineer. During this time, he worked with the Major Broadcasting Networks on various projects, such as the first live TV broadcast of the NASCAR Daytona 500 and the live broadcasts of the first space launches at Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center. He always felt very fortunate to meet the original Seven Astronauts and on more than one occasion, have breakfast with them.Bill loved aviation and became a private pilot at the age of 24. Later on, he eventually earned multi-engine, commercial, and instrument ratings. He especially enjoyed flying to visit family in Iowa and going to Air Shows across the state with family and friends. Bill always said he lived full life with many accomplishments, including car racing, scuba diving, tennis, golf, hunting, and in his retirement, he loved traveling in the RV, taking wonderful trips and visiting everywhere from the Florida Keys to Alaska.Bill was a member of the Northside Rotary Club for many years, serving in various capacities (Paul Harris Fellow) and developed many long lasting friendships. He was also a Quiet Birdman.Bill's top priority was his family. He loved his family and his family loved him. We are heart broken and will miss him greatly. CoVid-19 is a terrible disease. Graveside services, arranged by George H. Hewell & Son Funeral Homes, will be officiated by Rev. Perry Fruscella at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207 on January 7, 2021 at 2pm..Graveside ServiceOaklawn CemeteryThursday, January 07, 20212:00 PM4801 San Jose Blvd.Jacksonville, FL 32207