County's first black commissioner dies
Published 1:48 am Monday, April 5, 2010
By Staff
Friends, family and former colleagues are mourning the death of William C. America, Escambia County's first black county commission member.
America died Saturday at the age of 77 in his hometown of Atmore.
The former commissioner served constituents of his district for 12 years,
serving four years as commission chairman.
Current commission Chairman David Stokes said America was instrumental in getting the current district system set up in the county. Previously, commission members had been elected at large.
Services for America are scheduled for Saturday, April 10 at 11 a.m. At
McCullough Christian Center in McCullough. Visitation will be Friday, April
9 from 1 to 8 p.m. At Christian Memorial Funeral Chapel in Atmore where the family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m.