William Bennett Fuller

William Bennett Fuller, 75, of Panama City Beach, FL formerly of Phenix City, AL died Friday May 12, 2023 peacefully surrounded by family at Vitas Hospice, Panama City, FL.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM (EST) on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in the Chapel of Vance Brooks Funeral Home, Phenix City, AL with Rev. Tommy Fountain and Rev. David Hardwick officiating. Interment with U.S. Army Honors will be held at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 10:00 until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

Mr. Fuller was born February 27, 1948 in Troy, AL. He was the son of the late William Ralph Fuller and Foye Jane Dillard Fuller. From a very young age, he believed in working hard and doing things the right way. He proudly served in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Vietnam where he earned numerous medals, to include but not limited to two Purple Hearts. After he served our Country, he began working in the automotive industry with the desire to start his own business. His first business was the Gulf station in Phenix City, along with a wrecker service. He later became an independent owner for Firestone when he bought property on the 280 bypass and built and opened Phenix Firestone. He gained the trust of many in our community as a fair and honest businessman, that families trusted with their automotive needs for more than 40 years. He was fondly referred to as “Mr. Firestone” at times. There are many stories through the years of how he helped people from out of town who were stranded and extended help at any hour of the day, even to complete strangers.

Mr. Fuller was an active member of Golden Acres Baptist Church for many years before moving to Panama City Beach, FL. Mr. Fuller deeply loved his wife, Gloria, and they spent time enjoying their home in Panama City and with friends dining out. He enjoyed working on cars from a very young age and loved to watch all types of racing both cars and motorcycles when he was younger, he spent many weekends at East Alabama Motor Speedway over the years either watching or driving a car. He enjoyed college sports, especially Auburn football. It brought him great joy to watch both of his grandsons play sports and support them. He deeply enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter listening to music, watching action movies, going on boat rides or simply visiting. He will always be remembered as a fair and honest man, great husband, dad and grandaddy and faithful friend. Since his cancer diagnosis in August 2021, he used social media to share his faith and demonstrate courage and trust in God. He even joined and sometimes led a men’s bible study in his neighborhood which brought him joy. Mr. Fuller deeply loved his country and was proud to have served in Vietnam. He will be deeply missed, yet never forgotten.

Mr. Fuller was preceded in death by his parents, William and Foye Dillard Fuller, his sister Kathleen Fuller Harris, his stepson, Walter McKinley Martin, and a grandson, Manning McGuire.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Jane Abney Fuller, Panama City Beach, FL; two daughters, Penny Chere McGuire, Columbus, GA and Krystee Edwards (Heath), Salem, AL; one sister, Brenda Faye Thompson, Phenix City, AL; two grandsons, Pierce and Cayden Edwards, one granddaughter, Chandler McGuire; three nieces, Michele Duggan, Stacy Harris, Karen Harris, two nephews, Richard Harris and Christopher Duggan along with many dear friends.