William Lewis Ludwig, Jr.

William "Bill" Lewis Ludwig, Jr., born August 3, 1942 in Saint Louis, Missouri to the late William Lewis Ludwig, Sr. and Mary Claire Forristall Ludwig, passed away, September 10, 2022, surrounded by his wife and children at Cates Hospice House, Ocala, Marion County, Florida. As a graduate of McBride Catholic High School, St. Louis, Missouri class of 1960, he went to work for Mercantile Bank until he set his sights on a greater opportunity. Bill became a loyal employee with Anheuser Busch, beginning at the Saint Louis, Missouri Brewery in 1964 and transferring as a part of a start up operation, opening the Jacksonville, Florida Brewery in 1969. Bill retired in 1997, as a Production Planning Manager, after 33 years of service. During those years he enjoyed bowling on the company sponsored bowling leagues. Bill was a life long avid fan of the Saint Louis Cardinals Baseball team. As many fans know, they were originally owned by the Anheuser-Busch family (1953-1996). He had quite a collection of baseball cards as well as comic books. Bill followed the Jacksonville Jaguars football team and was a Charter member, holding season tickets the first 10 years of their inception in Jacksonville, Florida in the 1990's. Bill proudly served in the Army National Guard for 12 years. Bill held Business Management degrees from St. Louis University as well as Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida. He loved playing racquet ball and was very competitive in the 1980's. Later in life he had several friends that would meet up for Sunday tee time at the Hidden Hills Golf Country Club in Jacksonville, Florida and many other golf courses including Sawgrass, TPC in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Bill and Dianne met in 1982 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was the "girl next door", with two small children. When they married in 1984, he lovingly joined a ready made family. The words step children or step dad were never spoken. Bill was preceded in death by both parents; aunts and uncles, Catherine Valeria (née Forristall), James (Jim) H. Thornton, William Glennon (Glenn) Forristall, Celeste Clara (Tootie) Forristall (née Tripp), Elizabeth (Liz) Patricia (née Forristall) and Michael Edward (Bud) Hennessy; cousins, Jack Thornton, Jim Thornton, Glennon Thornton, Mary Suzanne (Susie) Thornton Bonfanti, David Forristall, Glennon Forristall, John Walsh Forristall and E. Joan Hennessy; father-in-law, Marion Francis Conner and sister-in-law, Veleda Jean Conner.Bill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Dianne Conner Ludwig; children, Dawn Marie Davis Crowe (Steve), Arthur Lee Davis (Issis); grandchildren, LeAnne Veleda Byrd, Joseph Strickland, Geoffrey Buckley, Elijah Padgett; Hannah Davis, Jacob Davis, Alma Davis; great grandchildren, Hayden, Jamison, Griffin; cousins, Michele (Boo) Forristall Hunt, Michael Edward Hennessy, brother-in-law, Charlie Conner (Lillie Beth); his mother in law, that KNEW Bill "Walked On Water", Bobbie Peffley Conner, long time friend Harold Eickmeir and special thanks to Bill's dedicated caregivers during his final months, Rhyan, Maggie and Nicholas of Cedar Cottage Adult Family Care Center, Ocala, Florida; many nieces and nephews and last, but certainly not least, his Sweet Yellow Lab, Mylie. A private Wake was held Sunday, September 18, 2022 in the home of Arthur and Issis Davis. Bill will join his beloved Mom at Chapel Hills Memory Gardens, 641 St. Johns Bluff North, Jacksonville, Florida at a later date. To acknowledge his military service, the Army National Guard will be in attendance to render full military honors in recognition of his dedicated service to a Grateful Nation. Please send Memorial Contributions in his name to No More Homeless Pets, 6817 Norwood Avenue Jacksonville, Florida 32208, or the Marion County Humane Society in Ocala, Florida. Bill was a heartfelt animal lover and would want his Sweet, Sweet Yellow Lab, Mylie, listed, once again, as a survivor. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR THE DATE OF BILL'S INURNMENT AT CHAPEL HILLS MEMORY GARDENS.

William Lewis Ludwig, Jr.

August 3, 1942 - September 10, 2022