Obituary of William Elbert Counselman

William E. (Bill) Counselman, age 78, woke up in heaven on the morning of April 11, 2011. He was born January 1, 1933 in Agricola, MS, the youngest son of John F and Leta Mae Counselman. As a teenager, he answered God's call upon his life to be a Minister of the Gospel. He graduated from Mississippi College, Clinton, MS., and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Wisconsin. He was a Chaplain at Wisconsin State Prison at Waupun, WI. In 1977, he moved to Florida where he was Chaplain at Sumter Correctional Institution and Apalachee Correctional Institution. He was Chaplain Services Administrator for the Department of Corrections Central Office in Tallahassee for ten years. After retirement, he served as Associate Pastor of Thomasville Road Baptist Church in Tallahassee, FL, before moving to Ocala, FL in 2004. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Belleview, FL. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sylvia Jean Brown Counselman. He is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Lynn Counselman of Ocala, a son, William David Counselman (Tracie) of Celebration, a grandson, Kyle David Counselman of Auburndale, a sister, Evelyn Dortch of Gainesville, as well as many nieces and nephews. Those who wish may make contributions to First Baptist Church, Belleview or to their church or to Marion County or Citrus County Hospice.