WILLIAM HENRY FISHER JR

William Henry Fisher, Jr., known to friends and family as "Hank", went to be with Jesus on July 13, 2023. He was a graduate of Bessemer High School, class of 1965. Hank proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the military, he was employed by the CSX Railroad as a Clerk and then a Yardmaster. He was employed there for 37 years. He also attended college while working and graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1979. For many years, Hank coached high school age young men (age 15-18) at the Bud Newell baseball field in Hueytown, Alabama. He loved coaching and had a passion for all the young men he may have influenced. Hank loved his home church, North Highlands Baptist, where he served as a former deacon and small group leader. Hank also loved cooking and showing others how to cook. For several years, he cooked for Tablescapes and Wednesday church dinners. He also loved cooking on the grill, especially pork butts and ribs. His "secret BBQ sauce" was to die for, but he got the recipe from his favorite mother-in-law, Martha Rogers. (She shared the recipe with him and dared him to share it with anyone outside of the family). Hank could also grill the best steaks and pork chops you have ever tasted. Hank loved Alabama football and he loved watching baseball games. He grew up loving all sports, especially baseball and pitching. Hank also had a passion for reading. He had so many books downloaded on his kindle, he was running low on memory and had to remove some. When he was a young man, Hank loved to go crappie fishing, especially with his father-in-law, Gil Rogers. Many an evening, they would make jigs for their fishing trips. Hank loved the beach. He loved spending at least a month there during the fall. His idea of a vacation was sitting on a balcony, watching the water and reading a book. Hank was a "people-person," and he rarely met a stranger. His mom was in a nursing home for several years. He went to visit her every day until Covid stopped his visits. While there, he would visit with other residents who thought he had come just to visit them. On occasion, he would carry them gifts and special treats. Hank loved the residents, and they loved him. He always came home with some kind of story to tell about his visit with them. When they had parties and special events at the nursing home, he always made it a point to go. Hank was preceded in death by his father, William H. Fisher, Sr.; mother, Mary E. Fisher; and brother, Kenneth Wayne Fisher. He is survived by his wife, Melissa R. Fisher; son, Billy Fisher (Cathy); grandsons, Cason Fisher, Evan Fisher; and step-grandsons, Jack Stoves and Charlie Stoves; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The visitation will be held at North Highlands Baptist Church on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 10 until 11. The funeral service will begin at 11 AM. The burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Bessemer, Alabama. They family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to North Highlands Baptist Church and/or the 24:14 Ministry (to be given through NHBC). The family wants to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, cards, and visits.

WILLIAM HENRY FISHER JR

November 12, 1947 - July 13, 2023