BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
NATHANIEL GIRARD GREEN (pictured)
Longevity seems to reign in the family of Nathaniel (Nat) G. Green. He passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the age of 96. He had been ailing for several months. Green has a younger brother, 82, sister, 78, both in California, and a younger sister, 95, in Tampa.
Green was a sports enthusiast and could often be seen around town in conversation about sporting event, even wearing the paraphernalia of several sporting teams.
Having received his education at Middleton High School, Green loved the Tigers of Middleton High School. His 1940 basketball team won the first State Championship for Middleton. The winning game was played in the gymnasium on the campus of Florida A&M University, where he later earned a scholarship for his athletic ability.
After 2 years at college, he spent 4 years in the armed services and met longtime friend (Tampan) John Cusseaux.
Upon his return to Tampa he married longtime girlfriend, Wilma Stanley. They were married 60 years before she passed in 2006. One daughter, Pattrese, was born to this marriage. She died in a fatal car crash on Christmas Day, 1995.
Green retired from Tampa Electric Co. after 35 years in mechanical maintenance.
A member of New Mt. Zion MB Church since 1938, he was a member of several of the church’s organizations, and for more than 30 years, served as custodian/security for the church.
Funeral services for Green will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2012, 2 p. m. at New Mt. Zion M. B. Church. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (See funeral notice)
MRS. HAZEL WYNN BOZEMAN – 8/27/25 to 12/24/12
A longtime resident and community activist of the Carver City and Lincoln Gardens community has died. Mrs. Hazel Wynn Bozeman was 87.
Mrs. Bozeman passed on Christmas Eve, December 24th, in Port Charlotte, Florida. A Tampa native, Mrs. Bozeman was born on August 27, 1925, to Woodrow and Zella Wynn.
She began school in and graduated from high school in Monticello, Florida. After graduation, she met and married Joseph Bozeman. The couple settled in Tampa; became the parents of 3 daughters and a son, and were married for 67 years.
As a resident of the Carver City and the Lincoln Gardens area, Mrs. Bozeman involved herself in several activities. She was a member of the Tampa Urban League for more than 30 years.
She was one of the early organizers of the Lincoln Gardens Progressive Association, a devoted member who served in various capacities; a member of the Carver City Homeowners Association; various Parent Teachers Associations and numerous women’s groups, such as the “Chat and Chew”, Pine Street Ladies, and the Senior Citizens group, her daughter, Mrs. Gwendolyn Bates, said.
In later years, Mrs. Bozeman served more than 10 years as a Girl Scout Brownie leader. When time allowed, she also enjoyed playing pokeno, gardening, and traveling to visit her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Spiritually, Mrs. Bozeman became a faithful member of Bethel A. M E. Church as a young woman and remained active in the church for more than 50 years.
Mrs. Bozeman served as President of Choir #2 for many years, most recently as a member of the combined choir, was President of the Missionary Society for many years. Illness prevented her from continuing in those capacities.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bozeman will be held on Saturday, December 29, at 11:00 a.m., at Bethel AME Church, 500 Cumberland Drive. Reverend Beverly Lane, pastor, will officiate.
Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
MR. WILBERT WILDS – 11/16/1943 to 12/25/2012
On Christmas Day, a member of a popular West Tampa family lost his battle with cancer. Wilbert Wilds was 69 years old.
According to his brother, Bobby Wilds, Mr. Wilds had been hospitalized for several weeks. He passed at Florida Cancer Center.
Mr. Wilds was the fourth child and fourth of 12 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jetie (Minnie) B. Wilds, Sr., the family worshipped at Tyer’s Temple United Methodists Church.
A Tampa native, Mr. Wilds attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. After graduating from Blake High School, he entered Fort Valley State University.
After college, Mr. Wilds became involved in several careers that ranged from teaching school to coaching football. He worked as an employee of both the Hillsborough County and Sarasota County Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Wilds retired from the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office as an Investigator, his brother said.
The father of three children, Mr. Wilds enjoyed coaching football and working with children.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilds were incomplete at press time.
Aikens Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.
ATTORNEY BILL McBRIDE
A prominent Tampa attorney died suddenly last weekend while visiting his wife’s family. He was 67 years old.
Attorney Bill McBride is credited with shaping the Holland & Knight law firm into one of the largest in the country. He also led an unsuccessful campaign for the governor’s office against Jeb Bush in 2002.
Attorney McBride was married to Alex Sink, former Chief Financial Officer for the State of Florida. He was also the father of two children.
In 2003, Attorney McBride became a partner in the law firm of Barnett, Bolt, Kirkwood, Long & McBride. He was still practicing law at the time of his death.
A memorial service will be held for Attorney McBride on Friday at the Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church.
