Bill was born on April 28, 1919 in East Grand Forks, MN to Robert and Ann Blair. At the age of two, Bill and his family moved to Churchs Ferry, ND and lived there throughout his youth. After high school graduation, Bill attended the University of North Dakota where he became an active member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and pursued his commercial pilot license. It was while attending UND that Bill met the love of his life, and beloved wife, Miff. They were married on October 16, 1943 in Grafton, ND. Bill loved to tell the family many stories of their college years. Bill and Miff made it a tradition to stroll around the UND campus every autumn, hand-in-hand, well into their 80’s.
Bill served in the United States Navy during WWII as a pilot based at Banana River Naval Air Station. It was while serving in Florida, that Bill and Miff’s love of the Florida islands began. They returned to Grand Forks, ND where Bill began working as a coffee salesman, moved on to car sales and soon built a Real Estate Business with different partners. Bill and Miff lived in Grand Forks for many years, raising their three children. Bill was active in many organizations and was most proud of his affiliation with the Kem Temple Shrine and served as Potentate in 1973.
The Blairs fulfilled their dream of returning to Florida when Bill started developing real estate in Marco Island, FL. They eventually became Florida residents and spent summers on Lake Bemidji. Bill’s favorite pastime was golfing with Miff or his friends at the Bemidji Town and Country Club and the Marco Island Country Club. He continued to play a decent round of golf up until age 98. He shared his love of Marco Island with any visitors from ND and MN by entertaining them with his mai tais and boat rides around the island. Bill and Miff were members of Wesley United Methodist Church in Marco Island. The grandchildren will always cherish the memory of him singing a Norwegian tune, as he was so proud of his Norwegian heritage.
Bill’s wish was for them to remain in their home until their passing and the family is so grateful for the caring and loving help of Linda DeMartinis and Renate Groth to have been able to carry out that wish.
Bill is survived by his children, Bonnie (Craig) Woodward, Marco Island, FL; Cindy (Mark) Fliginger, Bismarck, ND; Robert (Heidi) Blair, Forest River, ND., as well as 6 grandchildren, Karie Petit, Marco Island, FL; Ben Fliginger, Bismarck, ND; Blair (Mike) Lindsay, Bismarck, ND; Luke (Jill) Blair, Gilby, ND; Justine (Thomas) Loegering, West Fargo, ND; Lauren (Morgan) Simonson, Grand Forks, ND., 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mayfield “Miff” (2 months ago), his parents, and his sister, Winnifred Blair.
A Celebration of Life Service: will be held for Bill and Miff together on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 11:00 am with a family visitation one hour before the service at Norman Funeral Home in Grand Forks, ND.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18