THE ST AUGUSTINE RECORD
St Augustine, Florida
July 3, 2010


Willye Eichholz, 96, of St. Augustine, Fla., died June 30, 2010, at the Samantha Wilson Care Center under Hospice care. She was born in St. Augustine on June 9, 1914.

She is predeceased by her parents, William Jesse Williams and Francis Hall Williams, and also by her elder brother and sister. In 1996, Willye lost her husband, Earle J. Eichholz, a long-time employee of the Florida East Coast Railroad. Their only child, Bill, affectionately known as "Wild Bill" by the surfing community, died in 1992.

After graduating from a local high school, Willye then completed three years of nurse"s training and immediately went to work for Flagler Hospital. She continued a dedicated career there as a nurse until St. Augustine General Hospital opened and she joined their medical staff. As was true of all her involvements she gave of herself in great dedication to every task.

She and her husband Earle were enthusiastically supportive of their son, Bill, as he developed into an excellent surfer, traveled to Hawaii, and there became a career photographer specializing in capturing the art of surfing. After Bill"s death Earle and Willye enjoyed remaining a part of the local surfing community by supporting an annual long board contest organized by Burgess Autrey and others.

Willye was a long-time active member with devoted involvement in Ancient City Baptist Church. In these last years she continued her loyalty to her Lord Jesus Christ and her church family by giving generously to the renovation of the church sanctuary, which was completed in 2003.

She also served and enjoyed this community of St. Augustine in numerous ways through her entire adult life. Willye was a past president of the Pilot Club in 1966 and 1967. She was deeply appreciated for her leadership serving as chairperson of the Pilot Club annual rummage sales, which for years netted funds for the organization’s charitable activities.

Willye and her husband were avid golfers and during their retired years played a number of courses in the Southeast as well as the former Flagler Golf Course of St Augustine and today"s Shores Course. Good competition and a light hearted laugh were of much pleasure to her.

She is predeceased by a number of nieces, nephews, and in laws from the Eichholz family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ancient City Baptist Church. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday until the time of services at the church. Flowers are gratefully accepted or those wishing may make a contribution in her memory to Ancient City Baptist Church, 27 Sevilla St., St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements