William David Love - Passed away on August 23, 2022

In loving memory of
William David Love
  • Passed away on August 23, 2022

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Obituary

William David Love (“Big”) passed away at home on Tuesday, August 23, following a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. David was born on November 19, 1943 in Jacksonville, Florida to William Putnam Love and Eleanor Craft Love. He graduated from Dr. Philips High School in Orlando and later, served in the Army during the Vietnam War. Upon his return, he lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he met and married Sydney Stockton Love, his wife of 53 years, and had two children, Natalie, and David.

From early childhood and throughout his life, he had a gift for all things mechanical. He worked during his early married years in Virginia Beach as a Porsche and Volkswagen mechanic and returned to Florida to earn his FAA A&P Mechanic licensure from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. An experienced private pilot, his love of flying led him to start his own business. In 1987, he and Sydney founded D&S Aviation and Machine, an aircraft repair and machining shop, which eventually grew and evolved into Custom Tube Products, a successful manufacturing plant that his son, David, still runs today. Even when his disease necessitated his retirement, he never stopped creating and building. He built several beautiful wooden kayaks, and even made a locomotive from scratch in his home machine shop—complete with backyard railroad tracks—that he could ride on with his grandchildren.

David was also the consummate family man. Even while working tirelessly, sometimes at two jobs while building the business, he was always there for his family, both as a husband and father. His kindness, strength, and devotion to his family never wavered, no matter the circumstances. This same kindness, honesty, and work ethic also made him a respected member of the local aviation community.

Big is survived by his wife, Sydney; daughter, Natalie Love Thompson and husband, Troy; son David Stockton Love and wife, Elizabeth; grandchildren Caroline Love, David Trice Love, and Marshall Thompson; brother Richard Love and wife, Eunice; nieces Denise Love, Megan Stockton, Lynn Lyons, Sunny Lee Niles, Amelie Stockton, and Zoe Stockton; and nephews, Chad Love and Noah Stockton. He was predeceased by his sister, Sharon Love in 2020.

An open house drop-in will be held in his honor at the family home on Sunday, October 23 from 2-5 p.m.


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  1. Paulo, Mara Abreu lit a candle:
    23 Oct 2022
    Lit since October 23, 2022 at 10:53:33 AM

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