William Howard Solomon, age 58, of Jacksonville, Fla., formerly of Uniontown, passed away on Sept. 20, 2009.
The son of Col. William Howard Solomon and Louise Robertson Solomon, he was born on April 23, 1951, in Birmingham and grew up in Uniontown and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. He attended the University of Florida, where he majored in marketing and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity. He attended law school at the University of Alabama and received his juris doctor degree in 1976.
He was a member of the state bar associations of Alabama and Florida.
He became a hot-air balloon enthusiast and turned this hobby into a business, “Balloon Adventures.” He ballooned over the French Alps, crossed Australia in “The great Australia Balloon Race” and flew his balloon across the Grand Canyon. He also took part in “The Running of the Bulls” in Pamplona, Spain, with his lifelong friend, Billy Norton.
He is survived by his sister, Isabelle Solomon Whitfield of Miami, Fla.; a special friend, Ellen Womack of St. Augustine, Fla.; cousins Mr. and Mrs. Thurman Robertson and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Howard, all of Birmingham; his golden retriever, Booster; and several close friends.
A celebration of his life was held at a sundown service at Mandarin Park by the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., on Sept. 24. Another memorial service was held at the First United Methodist Church in Uniontown on Sept. 27. Burial followed in Rosemont Cemetery in Uniontown.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Riverkeepers, 2800 University Blvd. N, Jacksonville, FL 32211 or to the charity of one’s choice.