University of West Florida Foundation

Establishes Endowed Scholarship Fund

Honoring Bill W. Peebles, Jr.

In December, the University of West Florida Foundation designated an Endowed Scholarship Fund for Bill W. Peebles Jr., who passed away on December 3, 2004.

This fund will honor Bill's life and commitment to education by supporting one or more UWF students from the local area. Bill earned his Masters Degree from UWF and headed up the UWF Whitman Center for Public Service on the Fort Walton Beach Campus.

Bill was one of the charter members of the Private Industry Council, the precursor for our current Workforce Development Board and served as the Workforce Development Board’s founding Chairman.    He was always a supporter of workforce development issues both as a member of the board and as a sixteen year member of the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners.  Bill was twice named Florida’s Outstanding Local Elected Official and was named the national Outstanding Local Elected Official by the National Association of Counties in 1992.  Judy Byrne Riley, who is spearheading the scholarship drive said, “Everyone who knew him, thought well of him and most were touched by him.  A kinder, more caring person would be hard to find.”

The attached form may be used for making contributions to the Bill W. Peebles Jr. Scholarship Fund.    All contributions  are greatly appreciated.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Workforce Development Board administrative office or contact Judy Byrne Riley at

To make a contribution to the Bill W. Peebles Jr. Scholarship Fund, print out the pledge form and mail it to the address below.  All contributions are greatly appreciated.

Send completed form with contribution to:

UWF Foundation

Building 12

11000 University Parkway

Pensacola, FL  32514

Return to Newsletter Front Page