MR. WILLIE BUFORD DOUGLASS, SR., age 98, of Jacksonville, FL, died Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Community Hospice McGraw Center for Caring in Jacksonville, FL. Graveside services will be held at 2:00PM Wednesday, December 16, at Bay Springs Cemetery in Rhine, GA with Mr. Bobby Joe Ryals officiating. Mr. Douglass was born in Memphis, TN and graduated from Somerville High School in Somerville, TN in 1942. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he fought bravely in WWII and was part of the D-Day invasion that stormed Utah Beach in Normandy. He also served his country during the Korean War and was part of many successful missions during both wars. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander during his 30-year military career. During his last tour of duty in Mayport Florida U.S. Naval Station, he was a part of Task Force One Four Zero Manned Spacecraft Recovery Force Atlantic. He supported the Recovery Control Center Atlantic for the extraterrestrial flight of Apollo 14, which was crewed by Astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr. After his military career he attended Florida Junior College and North Florida College where he graduated with a degree in Accounting in 1976. He worked with Tyson, Hunter, & Meek CPA firm until 1989. He enjoyed traveling with his wife in the family motor home for many years and was able to see 48 of the 50 United States and made many wonderful memories. Willie was a member, deacon, treasurer, choir member, and Sunday School teacher at Palm Valley Baptist Church in Palm Valley, FL, where he enjoyed serving the Lord through the church bus ministry he started with his wife and a fellow deacon. He enjoyed fishing, shrimping, crabbing, and spending time on the dock and in his ski-boat at the intracoastal family home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. He was the son of the late Norma Buford Douglass and Charlie C. Douglass and was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Joy Douglass Green and Dorothy Douglass Lenderman. He is survived by his Wife of 46 years; Son; 2 Grandchildren; 3 Brothers; Brother-in-law; Sister-in-law; Several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Mr. Douglass will lie-in-state at Stokes-Southerland Funeral Home from 10:30AM-12:30PM Wednesday, December 16. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial contributions to Palm Valley Baptist Church, 4890 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.