William B. "Sonny" Coda, 85 of Micco, Florida crossed over on Tuesday, September, 17, 2019 at his home.

He was born January 27, 1934 to John A. and Icie V. Coda, who both predeceased him.

Bill was a veteran, having served his country in the U.S. Army, where he earned his GED and his mechanic's certification.  For 30 years he worked at Ford Motor Company CSP, retiring in 1985.  Bill attended the Akron Baptist Temple as a youngster.

He really looked forward to spending his winters in the Keys (coming from Ohio) at Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge where he did all of his most favorite things:  camping, scuba diving, fishing, boating and meeting new friends.  Known to many as "Mr. Bill," he was always ready to lend a hand --- to newcomers and old-timers alike.  Bill loved a good movie, old ones and new.  Some favorites were Mouse Hunt, Dirty Dancing (he always  turned the volume way up when that last dance came on), Pure Country, Somewhere In Time, The Notebook, Déjà Vu, October Sky, and Dances With Wolves.

Growing vegetables in the summer was another hobby – nothing better than a tomato sandwich with a fresh, giant beefsteak 'mater.  Purple beans, sugar snap peas, Brussel sprouts and more.  He also enjoyed Sunday touring on his Goldwing on the country roads of Ohio .

Bill was also predeceased by son Lee M. Coda; sisters Doris Odum, Wanda M. Cooper, Betty Jean Miller, Shirley A. Carter, sister-in-law Mary E. Parker, brothers-in-law Frank S. Foby, Harry (Bud) Reinhold, Harold Odum, Bill Cooper, Myron Miller and Leonard G. DiJulius.

Bill is survived by his wife of 35 years, Betty R. Coda, and by his children, John A. (Georgia) Coda, Rhonda L. Gaebelein, Darlene L. Coda, grandson Connor Nipper, sisters-in-law, Iris Patricia Reinhold, Anna H, (Joseph) Greer, Martha E. DiJulius, Irene G. (Mark) Miller, brother-in-law, Paul F. (Shannon) Foby, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a good, hard-working man with a gentle heart who could fix anything!  (Seriously, anything).  Case in point, the 1979 Chevy Blazer he and his friend Dave Culbertson hauled out of a lake in early December 1980.  Bill got it running and drove it for 13 years before selling it.  He will continue his journey on the other side doing all the things he loved.  Besides his family and friends, he will meet up with his beloved "small cat" Monster, our Siamese Miss Kitty, and his horse from childhood.  (They were family too.)

Here's a verse written to our special neighbor, Patricia Oetting, by her father, Henry A. Carroll in 1956 – Titled "T'aint"   …  (it sums things up pretty well)

T'aint what you have, but what you give …

T'aint where you are, but how you live …

T'aint what you do, but how you do it …

That makes this life worth going through it …

So, raise your glass anytime in a salute of remembrance --- He would be so honored!

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will take place in Ohio in early October.

Anyone wishing to share messages or a story can visit Bill's Memorial Page at www.seawindsfh.com

If you would like to make a memorial donation in Bill's name, contact:   Camp Haven, 3256 US 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960

772-999-3625 www.camphaven.net