Birth date: Apr 19, 1932 Death date: May 11, 2020
William Oswald Channer was born on April 19th 1932 to Casseta and James Channer in Coleyville, Manchester, Jamaica W.I. He was the second of nine children in a happy, close knit and well- respected family in their community. They Read Obituary
I worked with Bill in Finance for over 20 years. He was a kind, gentle and cheerful man who always had a smile and a story.
We shared great food, music and fun. Well done faithful servant, RIP🙏
Joan, Dayne & Rey = Warner Family
One Love💜
He was the elder in our Church, our only Deacon, the one who always made sure that the Church never needed anything. He was a peaceful man. More than that he and his wife Rupertia became our Dear Friends, a Blessing I believe that came from God. They loved like Jesus. They were head of the Adult Sunday School Class, the Women's Class, Ladies received a gift every meeting & we brought a covered dish and ate together afterwards. They headed up Christmas sings with us all going to sing at a Convalescent Home, where they taught Bible Class every week, bringing them all Christmas gifts. I loved being part of that. Before that they headed up a Clinic in our Church Parsonage, where anyone was seen for free. She was a retired Mental Health Nurse, she had Friends that would come for Free, Doctors & Nurses, who would see you, checking for Blood Pressure, Blood sugar, etc. She would lead the exercise class that everyone could do. They filled in the Children's Sunday School when needed. They did these things until they weren't able any longer. We met them at Church, we were Blessed with honest loving Friends that became part of our Family. God gave them to us to love and we loved them. We are Blessed to have had them in our life for the time we were given. It is hard to summarize someone's life, even for the short time we knew. I believe we are put here for a reason, and when we are done, that is when we are taken home. Only God knows what that day & time is. You NEVER look at someone that God doesn't love, so be kind to each other. Cherish the moments we are given with each other.
Condolences to Brandon and Stevie and Kent Channer.
Joy and Family.
My prayers are with you at this difficult time. I know you will miss him but I hope you find comfort in knowing that he lived a rich and full life and that he is at peace in the arms of the Lord.
Seeing Bill's wonderful smile on this page makes me reflect on knowing Bill for more than 30 years during the time he worked for Pinellas County and during his retirement. Bill was a man of great integrity which showed in everything he did. His work ethic was something that many should aspire to and admire. Bill loved a challenge in his work and never considered any job too small or too difficult. When he was given or chose an assignment (Bill knew what needed to be done without anyone telling him), you knew it would be completed timely and thoroughly. Bill accomplished much in his life, but he was still a man with great humility. He had such a kind, gentle and generous spirit, willing to help others whenever he could. Bill understood the golden rule and lived by it. Although he was a CPA with many years of training and experience, he had the patience to and did train some of the newest and least experienced coworkers. He was known in the Finance Division for spreading little nuggets of wisdom among us, so much so that I nicknamed him our Village Sage. We so loved to hear some of his wonderful stories about growing up in Jamaica with his family, living in New York, teaching and so many of his other life experiences. We would on occasion be blessed with a native song or dance from him. Of all those stories, songs and dances though, nothing could bring a smile to his face more than when he talked about his beloved Rupertia and Joy.
The last time I talked with Bill was when I called him to extend my condolences when Rupertia passed a few weeks ago. I could tell he was very tired and not well and I tried to give him some words of comfort, but Bill being Bill was not thinking of himself. He spent time talking about Rupertia and how blessed he was to have her and you Joy in his life. Then he started talking about me and spent most of the rest of the time telling me how lucky he was to have worked for Pinellas County and with me over the years. I'm so glad that a got in minute or two however to tell him how blessed I was to have worked with him and how much richer my life is for having known him. I got a little chuckle out of him over that. Bill was the type of man who once you get to know him, you will never forget him. I'll cherish my memories of him forever.
May God bless and keep you.
Claretha N. Harris
