He leaves behind his wife, Jo Anne (McWilliams), sons William, III (Kelly) and Timothy (Melissa), and six grandchildren: Devin, Sean, and Kate Flanagan, and Aaron, Hailey and Brandon Rowe.
Bill was born to Virginia (Hendershot) Flanagan and William P. Flanagan, Sr. on September 29, 1940. Growing up in Cleveland, Bill was always eager to share memories of his childhood home near East 93rd and Superior and summer evenings spent at Euclid Beach. He was an enthusiastic follower of baseball and football, and was a long-suffering fan of both the Indians and the Browns.
After earning a degree in Journalism from Kent State University in 1962, Bill enlisted in the US Navy. He served as an officer on the USS Ingraham until 1965. He was proud of his service to the Navy, and always enjoyed spending time on or near the water.
Bill then moved back to Ohio to become a “cop shop” reporter for the Dayton Journal Herald. He eventually moved his way up to City Editor for the Journal Herald and the Dayton Daily News. He also worked as the Managing Editor for the Fairborn Daily Herald. At the Daily Herald, he championed local journalism and covered the peace agreement that ended the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was largely known as the Dayton Peace Accord, but Bill preferred the “Fairborn Peace Accord”.
Upon his retirement in 2008, Bill and Jo moved to Cape Coral, Florida. He enjoyed spending time with family and reading the New York Times while drinking coffee. Bill also volunteered at the Cape Coral Caring Center, and he was always eager to help someone in need. As a recovering alcoholic, Bill was especially dedicated to working with people suffering from addiction. His steadfast participation in a notable 12-Step Program gave him strength, and he had 38 years of Sobriety at the time of his passing. Bill’s brash but generous spirit will be truly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Memorial Services will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, April 17th with inurnment and Military Honors provided by the U.S. Navy.
In lieu of flowers please in Bill’s memory donate to; AA World Services, 475 Riverside Dr, Floor 11, New York, NY 10115.