William "Billy" Eldridge

William "Billy" Jesse Eldridge, was born October 4, 1940 and passed away March 15, 2021. A piece of life's beautiful music has been silenced with the death of singer and songwriter William "Billy" Eldridge of Fanning Springs, Florida, on Monday. Eldridge was born to William and Gladys (née King) Eldridge on October 4, 1940, in Fort Pierce, Florida. He was the youngest of three children, with brother Robert "Bob" (d. 2012) and sister Melba Jean (d. 2001). A musician from an early age, Eldridge joined the local Fort Pierce group The Fireballs as a teenager in the late 1950s, where he recorded "Let's Go Baby," his first hit single. After a stint in a group called the Four Jades, Eldridge teamed up with local musician Gary Stewart of "She's Acting Single, I'm Drinking Double" fame. The two penned over 50 songs, becoming one of the most successful writing partnerships in country music. The Eldridge/Stewart team made the charts with songs performed by Roy Rogers, Billy Walker, Cal Smith, Jack Greene, Ernest Tubb, Nat Stuckey, and others. Eldridge and Stewart also worked at Nashville's first 16-track recording studio, Bradley's Barn, overseeing the sessions of performers such as Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, and Brenda Lee. Eldridge had a hand in almost every song on Stewart's 1973 You're Not The Woman You Used To Be album. A photo of Eldridge (and his '49 Ford truck) with Stewart is featured on the reverse of the album. When Eldridge was not playing music, he was serving the community, first as a Fort Pierce Police Officer in the 1970s and then as a 911 operator in the 1990s. He was a life-long Florida Gators fan and a lover of the guitar and woodworking. Eldridge is survived by his wife of 40 years, Myra (née Chesnutt), three daughters: Lynn (Michael) Whitaker, Jennifer Carter, Michelle Lindsey, and one son, Michael Gossett Sr. Additionally, he is survived by eight grandchildren: Bradley Whitaker, Lauren Whitaker, Josh (Denise) Gray, Kayla Whitaker, Michael (Sabra) Gossett II, Larissa (Marc) Romine, Laurie Carter, and Jayden Carter; and four great-grandchildren: Damien Monarch, Cesar Morales, Anastasia Gray, and Alexander Gray. He was beloved by his sister-in-love, Anita Walton, and his niece, Sebrina Schmidt, among others. Eldridge was predeceased by his parents and two siblings, as well as a grandson, Brandon Eldridge. Billy, as he was known to almost everyone who met him, was a truly wonderful man, who loved many, and was loved by even more. Funeral services for Billy will be held 2:00 PM Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland Chapel, with Rev. Travis Hudson officiating. Interment will follow in Chiefland Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6 – 8 PM. Arrangements have been placed under the care of the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland Chapel, with locations in Cross City 352-498-5400 and Chiefland 352-493-0050. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com

William "Billy" Eldridge

October 4, 1940 - March 15, 2021