William Paul Huey

WILLIAM PAUL HUEY, former Leon County Librarian and retired local Tallahassee attorney, died June 28, 2023. Bill died at 83, essentially of "old age" versus any lingering illness or diagnosed malady. Death came after recent years of personally-difficult times (e.g., serious blindness), non-medical stressful circumstances (e.g., his house burned down before he had signed a new homeowner's policy after his had expired), and injuries from some recent falls. The loss of his home sadly included the destruction of his world-class collection of Sherlock Holmes memorabilia. Bill spent decades building his beloved collection and had hoped to give it to FSU as he believed his collection was likely second only to a collection in London. (Yes, England; a collection with which Bill said he was quite familiar). Bill was born in Crowley, Louisiana on December 4, 1939, and grew up as "Billy Paul" Huey with Cajun roots. He was the son of Norma Coles Huey and James Theodore (J.T.) Huey. An overview on Bill must include that most of his many friends put him high on their "most unforgettable character list." He and his friends generally enjoyed his wit and lifetime of expressing his own special, laughable and often bizarre sense of humor with intelligence, competence and an ability to be either friendly or aggravating, sometimes both (in any setting). As an example for fun, many friends experienced having a meal with him, whether just with him or others too, where Bill definitely would arrive first and sign up to be seated when a table became ready. When a table became ready, the call would be: "Strange party of 2" (or whatever number) to identify "Bill's party." As well-declared by Carol Calvert, one of Bill's lifelong friends, on behalf of all of us old friends of Bill: "He was a good friend's true friend and man of compassion toward others, especially children." Old friends know of his volunteer work, pro bono legal services and advocacy of and for adoption of children, especially those in need of a home and adoptive parents or a guardian ad litem. Bill earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and then a master's degree from FSU (in 1977 in Library Science). After turning 40, he earned his law degree from FSU (1991). Old friends recall that during law school Bill also well-earned a reputation among the younger law students who knew him for being not just an outstanding law student academically, but also as a person who willingly would and did share with them how he managed to be so successful. [To any reader of this who was one of those, please step up and share specifics on that memory.] For more than ten years before retiring, Bill practiced law associated with the Roberts & Eagan law firm. Tallahassee lawyer Tom Moore, who also did legal work for and with that firm and worked closely with Bill during that period, describes Bill as "one of those very special lawyers able to 'think outside the box.' He could come up with a way to approach a legal problem or strategy that no one else would think of." Bill especially enjoyed the special projects for which he had responsibility that involved the law firm's preparation of manuals or other such formal materials for the Florida Association of Counties which would be used by the FCA itself and statewide by its 67 member counties. Bill's life as a young adult when he lived in Gainesville included his starting a publishing business there called Anhinga Press. When Bill owned that company, among other things (given his interests in children noted above), it is no surprise that he decided to publish psychological test "scales" (forerunner of today's "Bayley Scales") to measure the developmental progress of infants and young children. Such tests remain critical to deal with still commons and serious childhood disabilities. Bill ultimately sold that company in 1972 (or '74) which interestingly became today (over the last 50 years) an independent and notably successful not-for-profit "poetry" publishing house headquartered in Tallahassee. Bill is survived by his daughter, Juliana M. McLin of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She and his friends listed here prepared this obituary - in Tallahassee, Florida: Andrew (Euclid) Girasek, Tom R. Moore, Barbara Frey, Jim Williams and Carol Calvert; plus, Carolyn Aidman, of Atlanta, Georgia (formerly of Tallahassee). There will be a memorial celebration of (maybe two) Bill's life, with time(s) and place(s) to be announced. One is tentatively planned for Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 3 p.m. That may be a combination "in person and Zoom event" to permit attendees to participate online and join in the telling and hearing of stories about Bill. See the Young & Fulford funeral home's website [youngfulford.com] for updates and posting of personal memories of Bill. The family is being assisted by Jackie Fulford and James Sircy at Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory, Tallahassee Florida. 850.610.4444 YoungFulford.com

William Paul Huey

December 4, 1939 - June 28, 2023