William “Eric”, as he was affectionally called by his family, was born on July 7, 1957 to Elmo and Malissie Rountree at Manatee Memorial Hospital. Growing up in Bradenton, he attended Manatee County schools and graduated from Southeast High School, where he played basketball.

Under the teaching of his beloved father, Eric became a member of the 201 Church of Christ in the early 1970s. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army. After Honorable discharge, he attended the historical Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, TX. He found his way back home to Bradenton and he was a dedicated worker in various occupations within the community. When he officially retired, he became closer to his church family at the Fourth Street Church of Christ, where his father was one of the establishing brothers, along with the late Bro. Harvey Jackson, Bro. Raymond Woodie, and Bro. Tom Washington.

He eagerly anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed riding his bicycle to Saturday gatherings, during which he spread the gospel in the community. He was a stranger to no one and engaged joyously in conversations concerning church, family, and community history.

Eric was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo (1990) and Malissie (2008); brothers, Elmo Jr. (2001), Marshall (2023), and James (2023). He slipped away peacefully on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:15 a.m.

To cherish his precious memories, Eric leaves his only son, Joshua, of Bradenton; one brother, Isaac Rountree, of Palmetto; two sisters, Sherry Brooks, of Land O’ Lakes, and Py Rountree, of Bradenton; one sister-in-law, Cynthia Rountree, of Parrish; six nephews, Colin (Jackie), Cory, Keeton, Jonathan (April), Cameron, and Caleb; four nieces, Donalisa (Randy), Crystal, Christian, and Charity; nine great nephews, Jackson, Antione, Jayden, Jordan, Reilly, Keeton, Kyle, Julian, and Kyrian; nine great nieces, Jazmyn, Shayla, Tahara (Sydney), DeAsia, Raven, Alyssa, Kai, Amor, and Alba; two great-grand nephews, Kandon, and Zayden; two great- grand nieces, Taysa and Kamile, and a host of loving cousins, other family members, and friends.