William A. "Bill" Read, Jr.

William A. Read, Jr. peacefully left this world for his heavenly home onSeptember 29th, 2019 at the George Forsythe Hospice House inAuburndale. Bill, as he was known to all, was born on July 5, 1923 inTampa to the late William and Georgina Read. He spent his childhoodgrowing up with a deep appreciation for the Florida coast and its history aswell as a strong patriotic love for his country. He graduated early fromPlant High School and went directly to Georgia Tech. Determined to followin his father’s footsteps when war broke out, Bill left school to enroll in theRoyal Canadain Air Force seeking active duty before he was of age. Heserved for a year before returning to the USA to eventually finish hismilitary service. In peacetime, Bill pursued a career as a professional landsurveyor receiving his license on February 24, 1958. Having made his wayto Bartow, there he met and married the love of his life, Myrtle Jones andthey shared a lifetime of wonderful memories. In 1959, they established W.A. Read, Jr. & Associates, a local land surveying firm where they workedside by side for many years. Without children of his own, Bill was an activeuncle and great-uncle to all of his wife’s nieces and nephews, planning tripsthat always centered around historical Florida locations . He was also wellknown for his good heart and was always willing to give people a chance oroffer a helping hand. He took pride in mentoring young people who oftenlooked to W. A. Read, Jr. & Associates for part time work. In addition, heserved as the last elected Polk County Surveyor, working until the officewas deleted in the 1968 Constitutional revision process. Due to hislongevity in his profession, Bill was an amazing resource of information andhistory on Florida land development. It wasn’t always the project but thepeople he met and worked with that made his experiences so interesting.He had a deep faith in God and was a longtime member of the BartowAssociate Reformed Presbyterian Church where he served for decades asa ruling elder. He will be missed by many and well remembered for hissignature answer when asked how he was doing - “Better Than I Deserve”.Bill was predeceased by his wife Myrtle Read, sister Elizabeth Kenefick,brother John S. Read, and niece Suzie Temple. He is survived by hisnephew Billy Kenefick, cousin Ed Read, and numerous nieces andnephews. A memorial service will be held Monday, October 14, 2019, at11:00 AM at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church on 205 EastStanford Street, Bartow. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery,Lakeland. Memorials may be made to the Associate Reformed PresbyterianChurch, P.O. Box 1411, Bartow, 33831.