William Sellier Jr.

William Pep (Bill) Sellier Jr. passed away at Southland Nursing Home in Marion on February 28th, following a brief illness.

Bill was born January 10, 1917 in Kiln, Mississippi. His family later relocated to Atmore, Alabama, and eventually settled permanently in Mobile, Alabama where Bill graduated from Murphy High School. He later attended The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

In 1940, Bill met and married Selma native Rebecca Jordan, who was at that time employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Mobile. He was called into military service during WWII, and served honorably in combat zones in Europe as chief engineer in the Army’s fleet of ocean-going supply tugboats.

Upon his discharge from military service, the couple settled in Selma, where Bill was employed as a Veterans’ Continuing Education Instructor, and later in the furniture and automotive sales businesses, finally completing his employment years with the City of Selma Waterworks Department, serving full-time until his retirement at age 80.

Bill was an active and dedicated member of Church Street United Methodist Church, as well as in the Selma Civitan Club, and was a lifetime member of the Thomas Mackin American Legion, Selma Post. He was well-known for becoming enthusiastically involved in any project with which he was approached, and for his friendly, generous, and outgoing personality.

Bill was a lifelong tinkerer and collector, at one point owning 13 vehicles and 3 boats, which were stored at his home. He enjoyed driving all of the cars, trucks, and vans, rotating the use of each for several months at a time.

Following the death of his wife, Rebecca in 1998, Bill and Lucille Lackey Jordan were married in July, 1999, and enjoyed thirteen years together, until declining health required assisted-living, then later, nursing home care.

Bill was predeceased by his first wife, Rebecca J. Sellier, parents, William P. and Rena F. Sellier, and  sisters, Dorothy Dyess and Iris Stephanie. He is survived by his wife, Lucille J. Sellier, son, William H. (Bill) Sellier (Polly), niece, Gayle Dyess Johnson (Mark), nephews, Albert Dyess ( Fay ), James Siddens (Leigh), Alan Siddens (Kathy),  step-son Ron Jordan (Bessie), and special friends, Robert Prince, Robert Brown, Jim and Ann Thomas, Mike Scroggins, Lee King, and Raymond and Ann Thomas.

The family extends deepest gratitude to the staff of Southland Nursing Home in Marion, Alabama for their exemplary professional and compassionate care, during the final years of Bill’s life.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday,  March 4th at 2:00 P.M., at Old Live Oak Cemetery,  Rev. Steve Kopp officiating, and Lawrence Funeral Home directing.

The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to Church Street United Methodist Church, Selma, Alabama.