William Peyton Scott, Sr, originally from New Orleans was known to everyone as Uncle Bill. From mid-2020 to early 2023, he and his niece, Denise Scott, visited James Weldon Johnson Park in the heart of downtown especially on Wednesdays.

“Uncle Bill loved the Park and the people, and because of his personality, he drew people into him. On Wednesdays, local musician Joe Watts played live. Joe was one of those performers who played a lot of the old music, ‘Mona Lisa’, and ‘Route 66’. Uncle Bill, he’d be sitting and singing. Every time Joe played ‘Mustang Sally’ he’d get up, and do his little two steps.

Folks said, ‘Ooh, you making Uncle Bill tired.’ I was like, ‘No, Uncle Bill is making me tired.’ It was better to keep him busy, right? Because he did have dementia, and music for someone that has dementia is very, very soothing for them.

Now Uncle Bill had his 95th birthday party here on July the 8th. I bought 200 cupcakes, so anybody passing by, could have a cupcake. He sat in his own booth. We decorated it. We played Mardi Gras music for him to walk in. Joe played his songs. He enjoyed it.

Some of his grandchildren came down. A lot of folks over in City Hall came down just to say happy birthday to him. And the first lady who came down pinned $100 on him. You know, he’s from New Orleans so for Jacksonville, Florida people to celebrate the man… I miss the legend.”

Photos by Toni Smailagic