Louis Leon Motley

It is with a heavy heart that we share our family rock, Louis Leon Motley, passed away peacefully at home on May 10, 2025, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Louis was born in Enterprise, Alabama August 5,1949 to Leon and Hattie Motley. Louis fought a six-year battle against advanced prostate cancer caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his military time in the Air Force.

He was an air craft mechanic and crew chief on C-135, while serving during the Vietnam war.

He spent his early years in Geneva, Alabama moving with his parents to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1957. He graduated from Choctawhatchee High School, class of 1968. After discharge from the Air Force, he attended and graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College earning degrees in wildlife and forest technology.

Louis was a man of many talents; he could rebuild or repair cars and aircrafts, as well as build anything, especially things his wife requested. He was an avid deer and turkey hunter, and an accomplished bass fisherman, racking up many awards for his bass catches while fishing twenty-six Bassmasters Tournament Trail events. The Children's handicap turkey hunt at Mulberry Creek Hunting Club was especially close to his heart; helping the kids bag a turkey.

Louis married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Belinda Lanier Motley in June, 1969. They were married for almost fifty-six years and had daughter, Trisha, and son, Shanon Motley.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Hattie Reeder Motley. He is survived by his wife, Belinda Lanier Motley; daughter, Trisha Willard (Philip) of Kathleen, Georgia; son, Shanon Motley (Tiffani) of Crestview, Florida; eight grandchildren, Courtney Daniels (Robert) of Warner Robins, GA, Caitlyn Thomas and Justin Willard of Kathleen, GA, Aaron and Katie Willard of Biloxi, MS, Miranda Motley of Woodbridge, VA, Bailey Motley of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Kendall Motley of Crestview, FL. Additionally, he had three great grandchildren, Gabriel and Clark Daniels of Warner Robins, GA and Koda Motley of Crestview, FL. His three brothers-in-law were like his brothers, Chuck Lanier (Cheryl) of Paririeville, LA, Mike Lanier (Melanie) of Muscle Shoals, AL and Lloyd Lanier (Anita Fee) of Baker, FL. Also dear to him, was very special, life-long family friend, Wanda (Mike) Veal and Debi Girard of DeFuniak Springs, FL. There are many nieces and nephews from all over.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Road in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Funeral Services will follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. 

At Louis' request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude’s Children Hospital.