The Rev. Bill Pevy passed away peacefully in his sleep in the evening of October 30, 2022. He was born the sixth of nine children in Manatee County, FL on October 26, 1935. His parents, Archie and Corrine Pevy, lived with their children near the banks of the Manatee River. In his early years, he attended Bradenton Elementary School in Bradenton, FL. During Bill’s high school years, he and his mother accepted the gift of salvation at a tent revival, and Bill felt the call to preach. The Lord led him to Kernersville, NC, where he completed high school and attended Bible College at Southern Pilgrim College. While at Southern Pilgrim, he met the love of his life, Christine Cobb Pevy. They were married shortly after in the Kernersville Pilgrim Holiness Church on August 31, 1958. After graduation, he accepted a pastoral position at his home church in Bradenton, FL, and moved there with Christine in 1959. While pastoring there, the couple were blessed with two children. During the course of a 41-year preaching career, Bill filled the pulpit at Clearview Pilgrim Holiness Church in St. Petersburg, FL, Salem Wesleyan Church in Sneads, FL and Chantilly Wesleyan Church in Chantilly, VA. He proudly served in several positions on the Florida and Virginia Wesleyan Churches’ District Boards of Administration—including Florida District Secretary and Florida Director of Wesleyan Youth. After retiring in 2000, he and his wife moved back to Grand Ridge, FL to be closer to his children and grandchildren, where he continued to be involved in numerous community programs. He served as President of the East Jackson Ministerial Association and President of Sneads Carlisle Rose Garden Club. He was involved in numerous community Veterans Day parades, along with the installation of the memorial marker on HWY 90 in Sneads. He remained active in retirement at Salem Wesleyan Church, participating in the church choir and Men’s Group, and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. He also served as the committee chairman for the East Jackson Relay for Life event in Sneads for several years. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Christine Pevy; his parents, Archie and Mary Corrine Pevy; a sister, Lorraine Cruthirds; and brothers, Ollice, Charles, Joseph, Russell, Tolliver “Tolly” and Wayne Pevy. He is survived by one sister, Bunny Askew, of Bradenton, FL; two children, Annette Pevy of Tallahassee, FL, and Alan Pevy and wife, Shay, of Sneads, FL; a foster son, Rick Wise and Tracy, of New Port Richey, FL; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Cunningham and husband, Cody, of Chapin, SC, and Georgia Pevy of Tampa, FL; Rick’s sons, Austin, and wife, Kassidy, and Adam, and wife, Melissa, Wise, all of New Port Richey, FL; great-grandchildren, James William “Billy” Cunningham, of Chapin, SC, and Kristopher, Liam, Jordan and Adeline Wise of New Port Richey, FL. In addition, a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, adopted family members and friends all over the United States. The family will receive friends Thursday November 3, 2022, from 6:00-8:00 PM (CT) at Salem Wesleyan Church in Sneads, FL. Funeral service will be held Friday November 4, 2022, at 10:30 AM (CT) at Salem Wesleyan Church with Rev Dennis Waymire officiating. Interment will follow at Dykes Cemetery in Grand Ridge, FL. All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown, FL.
