Alfred E. Wamsley, Iii

Alfred “Fred” Evans Wamsley III passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2015 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Born in Savannah, Georgia on August 22, 1934, to Alfred Evans, Jr. and Martha (Hester) Wamsley, Fred earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Georgia Tech in 1956 and enlisted in the Navy. During a visit to Jacksonville, Fred was introduced to Betty Ann McGowan on a blind date. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on May 7, 2015.

Fred joined General Foods in 1960, transferred nine times to six different states, and finally reached the General Foods headquarters in White Plains, NY in 1968. For the next 38 years, he worked through the ranks to National Sales Manager and retired as the Director of Trade Relations, the perfect position to allow him to enjoy his love of travel and entertaining and his knack for making everyone feel welcome.

Fred lived with his wife and three daughters in Bedford, NY for 41 years before retiring full-time to Atlantic Beach, Florida. He was an active member of the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Vestry, Chowder and Marching Club, Mianus River Gorge Preserve and Bedford Golf and Tennis Club. Fred was an avid fisherman, often recounting stories of crabbing and shrimping in Savannah and fishing throughout Florida, especially in Crystal River. He also loved cooking and entertaining, singing, dancing, telling stories and entertaining his four grandsons, who will miss him terribly. He will always be remembered for his Bedford Christmas open house parties. The world will be left without his jokes, wonderful sense of humor and positive outlook on life, despite the challenges he faced in recent years.

Fred is survived by his wife, Betty Ann McGowan Wamsley of Jacksonville; daughters, Mary Jane Johnson of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Sara Hickman (Bruce) of Hartfield, Virginia and Susie Wamsley of Greenwich, Connecticut; and four grandsons, Ryan Johnson of Utah, Bobby and Luke Johnson of Stoughton, Massachusetts and Tyler Hartnett of Hartfield, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, The American Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Brooks Bartram Crossing in Jacksonville, Florida followed by a private reception.