Sonny Coker Obituary

William Smith "Sonny" Coker, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Monday, June 26, 2023, at the age of 85, at his home in Wauchula, FL. An army veteran and former Hardee County Supervisor of Elections (1985-2001), Coker was born on December 6, 1937, to Cabot S. and Amzie B. Coker in Arcadia, FL, a town named after his grandmother, Mrs. Arcadia Coker, in 1926, after she had displayed her pioneering hospitality, preparing a cake for crews working to build the community along the east side of the Peace River.

Later, Coker grew up in Limestone, FL, before moving to Wauchula, FL, where he was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Southside Baptist Church and Florida's First Assembly of God.

While attending Hardee High School (Wauchula), Coker explored his interests in leadership, economics, business, and agriculture as a member of FFA, FHA and FBLA clubs. He was active in high school football and judging by the quote listed next to his 1957 high school yearbook photo, faculty and staff must have known Coker was ahead of his game: "Nothing is too high for a man to reach, but he must climb with care and confidence." – Hans Christian Andersen

Coker started his professional career as a sales clerk at Western Auto Supply Company, a specialty retail chain. He later served as a park ranger at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring, FL and at Gamble Mansion Historic State Park in Ellenton, FL, combining his love of the great outdoors with his love of community. Still focused on community service and civic duty, Coker switched gears in 1980 when he was asked to be Deputy

Supervisor of Elections from 1981 to 1985. Then he was elected as Hardee County Supervisor of Elections, a position he would hold until his retirement in 2001.

Those who knew Sonny Coker remember him as a man of strong faith, integrity, and humor, a man with a warm demeanor who radiated kindness. He loved to fish, hunt and to spend time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Minnie Jones Coker, of Wauchula, FL, his son Kevin Coker, 57, of Wauchula, FL and Angela Stewart, of Wauchula, FL; his stepdaughter Marsha Jones Robinson and her husband Bryant Robinson, of Cleveland, TN; his stepson Timothy Jones and his wife Denise Jones, of Benton, TN; his stepson Brian Jones and his wife Donna Jones, of Altamonte Springs, FL; his stepdaughter Melodee Tomlinson and her husband Alan Tomlinson, of Mulberry, FL; nine grandchildren: Lana Jones, of Austin, TX, Candace Jones of Chattanooga, TN, Jonathan Robinson of Lakeland, FL, Jasmin Robinson of Cleveland, TN, Hunter Jones of Altamonte Springs, FL, Justin Tominlinson of Plant City, FL, Nathan Tomlinson of Riverside, CA, Christopher Tomlinson of Bradenton, FL, and Michael Tomlinson of Bradenton, FL. He is also survived by his nephew Claude Powell and his wife Ruby Powell of Wauchula, his nieces and nephews and many other loving family members and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Ann Neal Coker, his sisters Lucille Powell, Loretha Lowe, Zilla Edmark, Alice Keene, Anna Belle and by his brother Charles Coker.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Home at 205 N 9th Ave., Wauchula, FL 33873. Graveside services will be held at Wauchula Cemetery on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 9 a.m. at 1140 Hwy 17, Wauchula, FL 33873.

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com .

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements.