FRED WAMBLE

Fred Wamble, age 90 of Niceville, formerly a long time businessman and resident of DeFuniak Springs passed away Monday, April 23, 2018 in Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.  He was born in Elba, Alabama January 20, 1928 the son of Ira Edgar and Lizzie Roberta Drinkard Wamble.  From birth, Fred struggled with his name, often being called by the last name of Wambles, Wamble, Womble, Wombles and bore each of the variations all of his life on military documents, drivers licenses, social security cards, medical records.  Though not absolutely certain of his last name, Fred served his country in the United States Army, with a tour of duty in the Korean Conflict.  He had met and married the love of his life, Pauline Howell  before joining the Army and after his military career ended he agreed to move back to her hometown of DeFuniak Springs.    For a half a century Fred, by whatever last name, owned and operated trucking businesses, asphalt and concrete businesses and will best be remembered as the “Fred” behind Fred Wamble Trucking Company and H&W Trucking Company.  He was a bird and squirrel hunter and an outdoorsman.  In the early years of his retirement, he and his black dog, appropriately named “Black Dog”, could be seen on any given day, making the circle around Lake DeFuniak  in Fred’s truck with Black Dog strategically standing atop the cab.  This man, with no definitive last name, passed away the afternoon of Monday, the 23rd of April with his family by his side.   There is now, no question who this man named Fred  really is, he is a child of God.

Among survivors are his children, Sharon Macomber and husband Steve, Kathy Nixon and husband Johnny,  Rita Parish and husband Mike and Paula Diann Alford.  His grandchildren, John Ashley and wife Roxann, Jessica and husband Mark, Julia and husband Jared, Misty and husband Jason, Katie and husband Andy, Kalli and Kailyn.  19 great grandchildren and his brother-in-law W.A. Howell and wife Annette also survive.   Fred’s faithful and loyal companion Jack, his  Jack Russell Terrier,  shall certainly miss his buddy.

Flowers are being accepted or memorials may be made in Fred Wamble's memory to the American Cancer Society.  The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Emerald Coast Hospice and the nursing staff of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.  A time of visitation will be Friday, April 27, 2018  from 10A.M. until 11:00 A.M. in Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church, County Road 183, DeFuniak Springs, Florida  32435 with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. in the church with Pastor John Erthein and Dr. Johnny Nixon  officiating.  Burial will follow in  Euchee Valley Cemetery.