William "Bill" Campbell Blake Jr.

Blake, William Campbell Jr., "Bill", lawyer, craftsman, lively sportsman and delightful company, died Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. He was 88. He was born in Tampa on his mother's birthday, Christmas Day 1926, to Dr. William C. and Anne Lanier Blake. He graduated from the University of Georgia and the University of Florida College of Law where he served on the Board of Editors for the UF Law Review. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

Following law school he served for three years as a Navy deck officer aboard the USS Noble in the Pacific. He returned to Tampa to practice law, with special interest in admiralty and maritime law, the field in which he was engaged for many years. Later in his career he specialized as trial lawyer for health care providers -- physicians and hospitals and their insurers. He was the long-time attorney for Tampa General Hospital's then Institutional Review Board.

A collegial but dogged competitor, he enjoyed sailboat racing, tennis, running and bicycling. In order to develop local racing fleets, he imported and promoted one-design sailboats, including Star, Flying Dutchman and Fireball classes. He served as Fleet Captain for Davis Island Yacht Club and Commodore of the 24-member-club Florida Sailing Association. He built several of his own boats. In later years he devoted himself to duplicate bridge, furniture building and teaching himself to play the piano, as well as spending time in the Blue Ridge of North Carolina.

He was a 50-year member of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, a former member of the University Club, Merrymakers Club, Exchange Club, Propeller Club and Davis Island Yacht Club.

He is survived by his beloved partner, Mia Canariis Hardcastle; four of his five children, Betsy Blake Arizu (Peter); Dr. W. Campbell Blake III (Laura); Dr. George B. Blake, and Lynda Blake White (Ganon); and nine grandchildren: Jenna and Jessica Arizu; Richard, Stella, Audrey and William Blake; Blake, Pierce and Grant White; and his first wife, Mary Audrey Wilson. He was predeceased by his son John B. Blake.

There will be a private family funeral service at St. John's Episcopal Church, and the family will receive friends at 4 pm Friday, January 16 at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Metropolitan Ministries, 2002 North Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 or a charity of your choice.