Edward N. Fay, Jr., better known as Bill Fay, died October 6, 2021, in Bradenton, FL. He was 90.     

E.N. Fay, Jr. proudly served his country as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division with the Army of Occupation of Japan at the end of World War II. 

Bill graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1957 and practiced law in Bradenton for 52 years. His practice included real property, probate, wills, and trusts. Throughout his 52 years, Bill enjoyed distinguished service as the attorney for several governmental agencies. He was the attorney of record for the Manatee County School Board from 1970 to 1976 and as the Manatee County Attorney from 1976 to 1982. He also represented the Manatee County Port Authority for 32 years, from 1976 to 2008, and the Housing Finance Authority of Manatee County for 29 years, from 1979 to 2008. He was president of the Manatee County Bar Association in 1970.

Bill was active in the life and the expansion of the mission of Christ Church in Bradenton.  He served as its attorney, as a Vestry member and as a Lay Reader. Most prominently, he helped form Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School. Additionally, he assisted in the formation of the Diocese of Southwest Florida when it separated from the Diocese of South Florida. Bill served as an attorney for the Diocese of Southwest Florida, as a delegate to Diocesan conventions, and as a member of the Diocesan Council. He also helped to create the prominent Day Spring Episcopal Conference Center, in Ellenton, FL.

  For about 30 years, Bill was a member of the Bradenton Rotary Club and served as its president in 1971 to 1972. As an outstanding Rotarian, Bill received the designation of a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary International.

 E.N. Fay, Jr. was predeceased by his sons David Fay and Edward Fay, III.  He is survived by his son William Fay (Sharon) and David’s widow Beverly, his grandson Joel Fay (Chelsea) all of Bradenton, his granddaughter Molly Bailey (Alex) of Raleigh, NC, his granddaughter Nicole Hale of Austin, TX, several great grandchildren, and family friend Samuel Baublitz.

 

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