William Thomas Bankhead was born November 16, 1942 to the late Berry and Mary Alice Bankhead. He was one of ten children.

He attended Burrell Slater High School and after graduation went into janitorial services at Weeden Elementary School. He also worked at the University of North Alabama in custodial services. A few years later he began his lifelong career at Reynolds Aluminum where he was a hardworking, dedicated employee; one who never took time off from work. He went on to retire after 35 years of employment.

William gave his heart to the Lord at an early age and as his love for the Lord grew and his desire to serve God's people he became a Sunday School teacher at East Florence Missionary Baptist Church. He was later led by the Holy Spirit to unite with Healing Fountain Church where he became the Head Deacon and is affectionately known by the congregation as, "Deacon Bankhead, or Super Deac." He will be missed for his words of encouragement. Some of his known statements were, "You must be disciplined," and "You can't kill a spirit."

William met his lovely wife of 51 years, Theresa Ann Parker, through Rev. Frederick Parker, who later became his brother-n-law. It was by divine assignment. While Frederick was pastoring in Florence, Theresa came to assist his pregnant wife. Her mother, the Late Theresa Mae Parker, told her that if she came to Florence that her life would be forever changed, and sure enough, it was just as her mother prophesized. When Theresa and William met he was smitten with her from the moment he laid his eyes on her. Two weeks prior to her going back home, he knew that he needed to give her a momentum to remember him by so he gave her a photo of himself, the one photo that his mother was most fond of. That was just the thing that kept him on her mind which led to a wonderful, blissful marriage. To this union the Lord blessed them with three beautiful daughters and two ever endearing grandchildren. William was such a family man. He not only became a father and grandfather to his children, he was also a father figure to many long before he had children of his own.

William loved to laugh and to make others laugh. He is most fondly remembered for his dry jokes, and his fetish for cracking toe knuckles. Whenever he saw feet with no shoes on them he took that as an opportunity to come by and pull their toes until he heard them crack and then he would laugh heartily. He continued to make people laugh even until his death.

William was preceded in death by his parents, Berry and Mary Alice Bankhead; his siblings, Mary Bankhead Smith, Patricia Johnson, Shirley Jean Bankhead Andrews, William (Billy) Buford, Charles Bankhead, Berry Bankhead, Jr., Jimmy Bankhead, and Joyce Faye Bankhead Thompson; mother-in-law who loved him as her own son, Elder Theresa Mae Parker; father-n-law, Rev. S. D. Parker, Sr.; sister-n-law, Antenette Parker Bradford.

On October 28, 2019 after an intimate time of fellowship with his wife, daughters and granddaughter the Lord called William home. His family was allowed to be with him as he drew his last breath.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Theresa Ann Parker Bankhead, his three beloved daughters, Menyon Bankhead, Deborah Faye Bankhead Jackson, and Verliscia Rochelle Bankhead; his two grandchildren who were the apple of his eye, Alyssa Simone Bankhead, and Jaydis Tyler Jackson; two siblings, Ruby Bankhead of Nashville, TN and Beverly Lynn (Ed) Smith of Albany, GA; 10 brothers and sisters-in-law, Leroy Thompson of Florence, AL; Solomon D. (Dorothy) Parker, Jr. of Mobile, AL, Deaconess Lula Parker Patrick of Birmingham, AL, Rev. Frederick D. Parker, Sr. of Birmingham, AL, Elder Martha Parker Freeman of Birmingham, AL, Rev. Theodis W. (Cheryl) Parker, Sr. of Mobile, AL, Elder Rosalyn Parker of Birmingham, AL, Adrienne (Jesse) Cunningham of Pleasant Grove, AL, Elder Faye (Albert) Parker Speed of Pleasant Grove, AL, and Pastor Joseph B. (Deidre) Parker, Sr. of Birmingham, AL; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Death is a season that many must pass through

And just like the flowers, God wakens him too

So why should we grieve when our loved ones die,

For we'll meet them again in a cloudless sky.