Bill hired me for my first full-time journalism job at the Fairborn Daily Herald (Fairborn, Ohio) in March 1991. He was a demanding but generous boss, who worked much harder than he asked anyone else to work. I majored in English at Wright State University, but I sometimes say I went to the William Flanagan School of Journalism. Godspeed, Bill. 

I owe much of my career to Bill. He hired me for my first newspaper job, writing Sunday night obits at The Journal Herald in Dayton, then weeknight obits, then covering night cops. He taught me to write a story on the fly and dictate it from a pay phone. He taught me to get things right. 

He terrified me sometimes, but he was fiercely loyal to his subordinates. He set an example of journalism ethics that I'm grateful to have had early in my career. And he gave me a knit Brookville Blue Devils hat.

Rest in peace, Bill, and thanks for everything. I'll always remember you when I turn in copy that sings.


My brother J. Brian Flanagan was also a Navy veteran, and when he was in college in Dayton, he stopped corresponding with my parents, so my father asked our cousin Pat (as we called him) to look in on him.  Pat did, and took Bri out for lunch and encouraged him to stay in touch with our parents and him. 
Years later, Bri told him Bri’s roommates thought Pat was a cop because of his shoes, and almost didn’t admit Bri lived there.
I got to know him as an adult at Brian’s funeral and kept up the friendship until his death. We miss  him so much! Take care, Margaret 


WILLIAM  PATRICK  FLANAGAN



I just learned of Bill’s passing.  Clara and I want you all to know how important he was to me, assigned as his roommate, in the Navy, fresh out of college and aboard a destroyer.  Although he was rough at times he was much more a diamond deep down inside.  

When he and I spoke on the phone a few months ago he told me he was in a wheel chair and needed oxygen - both 24/7.  
We were roommates on USS INGRAHAM (DD-694) from 1963 to 1965 and in and around our stateroom absolutely nothing was sacred.  When he was right he was the first to admit it.  I helped him establish radio station “WING” where we played music and teamed up for newscasts while the ship was underway.  The radio station was publicized in Stars and Stripes in a story entitled “DJs in Dungarees.” But, WING may have been a rude awakening for fake news.  We never promised accuracy but we were prompt, thorough, and rarely serious.  Sports, especially, took a real beating.  

Bill and I prepared the story of the assassination of President Kennedy for our squadron - sifting through teletype reports all night and finding valid information where there was very little.  He was excited when the huge storm we experienced in December of 1963, in the North Atlantic, received coverage in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  Imagine waves 100 feet high and winds 100 knots!  Bill and I were among the few officers who escaped the embarrassment of being “sea sick.” We worked together on the production of “Cruise Books”(like HS and College year books) covering several deployments.  He suggested a special cruise book for our time in the Boston Naval Shipyard in early 1965.  Bill’s creativity knew no bounds.

His nickname was, appropriately, “FLASH” aboard INGRAHAM.  Bill Flanagan was way ahead of his time and he will certainly be missed.

Sincerely,
Dave and Clara Johnson

"Flanny" was a lion of a man — a "get it first and get it right" editor who held himself to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. During our time together at The Journal Herald, Bill and I became fast friends. We worked hard and we spent time with each other's families away from the office. 
I trusted him and I knew he trusted me. We could always count on each other to do the right thing and to do the thing right. 
He was my best friend for many years.
The world he swept through is less now because of his departure.
I loved him.
I will miss him.
Ed Henninger

My sister, Mary Kay Land and I were very lucky to have received many letters from our cousin Pat - he went by Pat when we were kids, as his father was Bill Flanagan and though most of his friends now called him Bill, he invited us to continue to call him Pat, as it reminded him of good times when we were all younger.
Not since my father died in 1978 have I gotten so many wonderful letters, he had great style. I always learned something new about our family, I loved getting his perspective.
I got to see him and meet Jo Anne when they came to visit New York City for their 50th wedding anniversary, too short a visit, but great fun! Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with us! 
My picture shows me balancing an egg for the spring equinox this year, in my Pax ChristiUSA tshirt in my NYC apartment. take care, Margaret A. Flanagan

Flanny was an outstanding city editor at the Journal Herald. As news editor, I found him easy to work with. On the golf course, Flanny was not so outstanding. His Navy background and love of the water seemed to carry over into his golf game as his shots frequently went “Splash.” 
Speaking of nautical terms, you didn’t want to confuse a ship with a boat in Flanny’s presence as he would correct you in no uncertain terms. My wife, Cathy Martindale, or “wif” as Flanny would say, adds that, while she never really understood the difference, nor cared, she sometimes deliberately used “boat” when referring to some huge vessel, just to prompt an eruption. 
Bill Flanagan was such an enthusiastic, hard-charging newsman that he was almost a caricature of the stereotypical journalist. He energized all of us. And underneath that gruff exterior, he was all marshmallow!
We’ll not see his kind again, and those of us privileged to know him will miss him!
Dave Wohlfarth and Cathy Martindale


Bill was a kind and generous man with a loving and gentle soul. He is loved and will be missed. I am a better man for having known him for all too short a time. We shall meet again my friend...

I met Bill in February of 1985 @ an AA meeting. In June of 1985 i asked Bill to be my AA sponsor. Bill was there for me from the  beginning of my recovery and gave me all my tokens for the next 35 years. I will think of him often and all the incidents that he shared with me. Bill would listen to my daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly complaints about all the minor things associated with living life. Thank god i eventually stopped complaining. We recovered together for the past 35 years. I loved my friend and sponsor and will miss him.

I have many memories of Bill, too many to share Bill was an enigma.  A combinatation of true compassion, tempered with humility.  A passionate man who was not afraid to voice his opinions.  He carried the message of AA by walking the talk reaching out to new comers or anyone needing a ride, as long as Bill could drive!  I was able to enjoy Bill's company volunteering in  different charities always with good natured ribbing.  There was another side of Bill and that was that boyish glee he had like when his beloved Indians beat the mighty Boston Red Sox.  Your friend Bill Harrigan

Bill was city editor when I began work on the copy desk at The Journal Herald, and he scared me to death! Very soon, however, I came to respect him as one of the best editors I ever had the pleasure to know. He was alternately terrifying and entertaining to watch (and listen to) on the job. We all felt Lou Grant was a pale imitation of the city editor we knew. He was, in a word,  unforgettable. Blessings to his friends and family.

I knew Mr. Flanagan in the early 70's when I used to deliver the Dayton Daily News up to the 5 floor everyday. I was the copy boy for the Daily News. Everyday when I was delivering the paper to the Journal I would hear and person answering the phone "Newsroom, Flanagan" much louder then me and as most people know I am a loud person. I came to respect Mr. Flanagan as being one of the great newsman of my time. I knew the first time I heard him say that that he was a REAL NEWSMAN. He was the greatest in my book, and I was there for over 43 years. He will be missed by all he touched.


Bill also loved to play golf. He and 3 other guys would play every weekend when they could. He also would  volunteer for the veterans where ever he could. He will be missed by many. 

Bill was a tough reporter and good editor who didn't shy away from the kind of stories that required a willingness to put himself in the line of fire.   As I recall, he was covering a civil disturbance in Dayton in the early 70s and had to work his way out of an angry group.   If he was shaken by the event, he didn't show it.  He earned a lot of respect as a result of how he handled himself then and in key roles at the newspaper.  Rest in peace, Bill.          

I’m not sure exactly what to say thinking back  as a little kid on Rockliff Cr. who met another little kid at the end of my yard on Truman Court.  I just loved the Flanagan’s- all of them!! First Billy, that reptile-obsessed sweet boy, who also turned into a long-haired rocker...Jo-the sweetest, kindest, most gentle spirit I think I’ve ever met, and Tim-a genuinely sweet guy who always looked for the best in everyone.  And Bill (Mr. Flanagan to me), funny, smart, engaging and just a great big heart ❤️!  I can’t put it all into words but just wanted to say that when I think of the Flanagan family from my childhood, it brings a big smile to my face.  Love you all!  Scruffy too! See you on the other side Mr. Flanagan!❤️❤️

Bill was the classic City Editor, and I knew it immediately when I appointed him to that position after I was named Managing Editor. 

He and I were assistant city editors at the same time, and when I was named City Editor (instead of him), he hunkered down and worked even harder. "Flanny" was my obvious -- and only -- choice to become City Editor. And he was a great one.

 Just ask any member of The Journal Herald's outstanding reporting/writing team of the '70s and early '80s. I knew I was leaving the City Desk staff in great hands when I became Managing Editor.

Godspeed to Bill on his eternal journey; peace and comfort to Joanne and his family.  You made a real difference, Bill.


I met Bill as a rookie sports reporter at The Journal Herald. He was one of the most dedicated journalists I ever met. He taught me how to be a journalist. But my best memory of Bill is when he and I signed up to take golf lessons at a local course in Dayton. It is hard to imagine how bad we were before the lessons. But the funny thing is we got worse the more lessons we had. But we always laughed (and cussed the bad shots). I am glad to have known him and so sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of the best!

Dear Joanne and boys,
So sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He was a good man and from what a remember he was a " journalist's journalist"!  Our neck of the woods in Dayton was a great place to be at the time.  
My condolences to you and peace and good health, especially during this crisis time.  

Bless you, Susie Wohlfarth
 Crandall, In. 

Rest in peace, my dear friend. Hoping you'll be enjoying some fine coffee with Dr. Bob and Bill W.  Thank you for being such a great inspiration to me, and to all of your brothers.

OBITUARY

William Patrick Flanagan Jr.

September 29, 1940 – April 22, 2020

Coral Ridge Funeral Home & Cemetery

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