Gorum dedicated his life to help others in community

William A. Gorum, Sr., spent his life helping others, whether it was through his 33 years as principal of Huxford Jr. High School, helping establish the Huxford Volunteer Fire Department and the Escambia County Firefighters Association or simply helping people in his community.

Gorum, 94, of Huxford, died Jan. 20 but will be remembered for the impact he had on so many people.

Billy Hines, Gorum's son-in-law, said he talked to Gorum about a week before he died and had to leave laughing rather that crying.

"I asked him about his teaching career," said Hines, who served as Superintendent of the Escambia County (Ala.) School System. "He told me he began at Stockton and taught math, science and P.E. A year later he taught the same three subjects at McCullough."

The next year, Gorum was hired at Huxford as the principal, math teacher and science teacher and also taught P.E. and coached basketball.

"I asked him 'when did he have time to be a principal'," Hines said. "He told me he did that after school. He said after teaching and coaching all day, he didn't have time to be a principal during school hours."

Hines has been married Gorum's daughter Judy for 40 years and said he'd known Mr. Gorum for 41 years.

"My daddy (McArthur Hines) and him served as administrators together," Hines said. "He was a great guy and full of knowledge."

In addition to his duties at the school, Gorum helped establish the Huxford Volunteer Fire Department in 1969 as well as the Escambia County Firefighters Association in 1983.

Charles Jackson, the current chief of the McCall Volunteer Fire Department, said Gorum was one of the founders of the county association and served in many capacities for more than 30 years.

Jackson said he met Gorum around 1982. He said forming a volunteer fire department wasn't just as easy as saying an area would have one.

Jackson said approval had to come through the Alabama Forestry Association and that Gorum served on the association's advisory committee.

"All volunteer fire departments had to be chartered by the forestry commission," Jackson said. "I worked with him to get the county divided into fire districts."

"I give him all the credit," Jackson said. "No one can question the fact that he was the most instrumental person for rural fire departments in this area.

"He was a very humble man and didn't like to take credit for anything," Jackson said. "I loved him like a father. Everybody loved him. He mentored thousands and thousands of kids that went through the school. He was an advisor and public servant."

Jackson also noted that Gorum was the first person to received the firefighter association's Lifetime Service Award.

"He will be sorely missed," Jackson added.

Johnny Middleton, the current chief at the Huxford Volunteer Fire Department, echoed Jackson's sentiments saying Gorum had the community in mind every time he did something.

"He was the one you went to if you had any problem," Middleton said. "He stayed involved and organized fundraisers such as turkey shoots and fish fries. We're all going to miss him."

Middleton said he's known Gorum since the mid 1970s and called him the smartest man he ever knew.

"My dad passed away in 1985 and he's been like a father to me," Middleton said. "He knew the history of Huxford from memory and he was very community oriented."

Middleton said when Gorum was in the Civilian Club he'd get the children to help him put American flags up in the community and throughout Atmore on every holiday. He also said Gorum was once a 'paper boy' throwing the Mobile Press-Register around the area.

"He did it for the love of the kids and the community," Middleton said. "He was a great man and it doesn't seem real he's gone."

Gorum was a member of the Huxford Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where he taught Sunday School and was a deacon for more than 40 years.

He was also a member of the Eastern Star for 45 years and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite. He was a York Rite and obtained all degrees.

Gorum was also a Korean War veteran.

Graveside services for Gorum were held Saturday, Jan. 23, at Huxford Baptist Church Cemetery with Brother Billy Hodges officiating.