William Ronald Sumter was born Mar. 23, 1945, and passed away Aug. 10, 2024. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana to Leonard Sumter and Cynthia Elizabeth Sasser.
Ron was a Graduate of C.E. Byrd High School and played football there until he finished high school. Ron attended the University of Louisiana in Monroe, Louisiana; where he also played football and received his bachelor’s degree. Ron was honored a certificate of award All-State Conference from Northeast Louisiana State College and selected as Defensive Tackle on the GSC All-Conference Football Team for the year of 1966.
Ron then joined the United States Army on Nov. 10, 1968. He became a member of Tank Crew B-16 and achieved a higher score on the 1970 Tank Crew proficiency course than my tank A-3B on Table V III conducted on Range 42 Grafenwohr. Ron was awarded National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal; with 60 Device and one Overseas Service Bar. Ron left the Army as Major William Sumter on August 25, 1971.
After leaving the Army, Ron received his Masters’ Degree from the University of Louisiana in Monroe. Ron then started working for a company named Sonitrol and moved around a lot. He worked so hard; He was eventually offered to purchase two Sonitrol stores in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; by a large security company. He was given a Distinguished Service Award by the Board of Directors in the years 1995, 1996 and 2002-2006 for appreciation from the Board of Directors of Sonitrol.
Ron attended St. James Methodist Church in Tulsa and was president-Men’s Prayer Group. He also was the president of St. James Methodist Men’s Club. Ron loved that church and all the members there. When Ron retired, he moved to Craft Farms. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed the sport until his health issues kept him from the sport. He joined the Gulf Shores Methodist Church in 2011 and became President of the Men’s Club for several years. He loved the Wednesday afternoon Bible Study that was led by Floyd Williams, and the Sunday school class every Sunday. He loved our Church and especially Pastor Rusty. Ron always had a joke for Rusty every Sunday as he was walking down for service. He was also named Paul Harris Fellow Appreciation, by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents; Leonard Sumter, Sr. and Cynthia Elizabeth Sumter, brothers; Michael Timothy Sumter and Lt. Colonel Leonard Sumter. Survivors include his wife Dale Sumter, two stepchildren: Robin Helton (Todd) and William Bodne (Holly). Grandchildren; Cameron Helton, Lillie Kate Bodne, Elle Helton, and Lincoln Bodne. Sister-in-law, Gloria Sumter.
Memorial Service will be held at Gulf Shores Methodist Church; Aug. 24, 2024, at 11:00 am. The burial will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.
In Lieu of Flowers the family request donations to Gulf Shores Methodist Church or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
