William Channer's Obituary
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 were a religious and God loving family and attended Bryce Presbyterian Church.
Growing up he was very close to his mother and she taught him how to cook, sew and wash. He was known for his delicious rice and peas and beef soup. He was also a horticultural person and maintained a vegetable and flower garden. He was extremely knowledgeable about types of yams and mangoes.
From a young boy, William was a person of few words. He was all about ‘doing’ and not being a passive person. He was very studious at an early age and took his education seriously. This dedication to his studies continued throughout his lifelong educational journey, along with his desire to excel. During his high school years, he successfully completed his GCE exams by passing all subjects. He furthered his education at Mico Teachers College in Jamaica, W. I. and received his Teachers Degree. He had a love for mathematics, which led him to work for the Internal Revenue Service as an Assistant Collector of Taxes in Jamaica, W. I. for sixteen years.
William was a man who loved his parents and his siblings. He was committed to taking care of his parents by providing for them and making them comfortable. According to his sisters, he would give the shirt off his back and always thought of others first.
While working in Falmouth in Jamaica W.I., he met and married Rupertia on February 23, 1963. Accompanying the union was Joy, at the age of five. William and Rupertia had a wonderful union of 57 years. They were a close couple who loved the Lord, were faithful church members and supportive of their respective endeavors and career paths. They also loved to entertain and travel. Their involvement in their respective church activities, the community needs at large and a variety of programs were limitless, matched only by their love for family and friends.
The family relocated to the United States in August 1971 and settled in the Bronx. His penchant for learning continued and he worked full time and attended Bronx Community College, earning his Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in August 1975. He was also initiated in the Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Fraternity of the Junior College. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Fordham University in 1977.
Upon relocating to Tampa, Florida in 1980 along with his wife Rupertia, they started a new chapter in their lives. They eventually acclimated, joined a new church home, obtained new employment, made friends and settled in as if they were longtime residents. He worked for Pinellas County Clerk of the Circuit Court as a Finance Certified Public Accountant for 22 ½ years and he retired in 2003.
During his years of retirement, he continued serving the community through active participation in a myriad of programs and received numerous awards. He received the following: The Service Award from the Caribbean Cultural Association, The Pinellas County Service Award, In 2003 he received A Certificate of Achievement Award for Teaching An Adult To Read, The I CAN Literacy Service Award, The Volunteer Of The Year by the United Way of Tampa and The Governor’s Points of Light Award for the City of Tampa in 2007.
William is predeceased by his wife Rupertia, his mother Casseta, his father James, his brothers Vinnel and Morris and his sister Avril.
William Channer leaves to mourn his daughter, Joy, son in-law Michael, grandchildren, Andrew, Vanessa and Erika, his brothers Lester and Roderick; his sisters, Everette, Audrey and Freda; nephews Steve and Kent and a host of additional nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
My father was an honorable man, he was a faithful servant to the Lord. He had a wry sense of humor and was extremely logical where thoughts and ideas had to connect for him. He was a thinker and a doer and always encouraged everyone he met to strive to do better.
One of his favorite passages in the Bible:
Trust in The Lord with All Your Heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path
Proverbs 3:5
WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL MISS YOU!
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