William H Gilmartin Jr.

William High Gilmartin, Jr. passed away peacefully after watching the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs for one last time. Born in New Jersey on September 11, 1923, Bill spent his formative years in the New Jersey – Staten Island area. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Florida May (Carlson) Gilmartin. He is also survived by three children, William Gilmartin, III (Cathy) of Davie, FL, Cassie Oden (Carl) of Apopka, FL, and Shawn Gilmartin (Marcia) of Cooper City, FL. He was the proud grandfather of Jeff, Sean, Bill, Cortney, Eric and Brett. He was also pleased to welcome two and a half great grandchildren Kylee, Austin, and Cooper.

William Met his wife Florida while they were both students at the University of Florida where he played football and earned a Bachelor’s and a few years later a Master’s Degree. They were married in Orlando, Florida in 1948. He became a teacher and Football coach at Orlando Senior High School. When OHS split to become two schools, Edgewater and Boone High, William was hired at Boone High School as the first head football coach in 1952. William moved his family to Hollywood in 1957 and began his teaching and coaching career at McArthur High School where he won numerous awards including the Florida State track and Field Championship in 1964. Ft. Lauderdale High School hired him as Head Track Coach of the Flying L’s in 1966. He taught and coached many successful students and athletes until 1972 when he became Dean of Students at Miramar High School. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named him “Coach of the Year” in 1971. He was then inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1985. After 37 years, William retired from teaching. It was 1990, and at his retirement celebration we proudly looked on as his principal and co-workers lauded him as a “true human being”, reaching out and touching the lives of all his students regardless of race color or creed. In 2013 he was awarded the Jimmy Carnes Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame. He will be greatly missed; yet, we as a family rejoice in the fact that he is in a better place.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from 6-9 PM, located at 2401 SW 64th Avenue, Davie, FL 33317 954 793-9360 Online Guest Book condolences may be left at www.forestlawnsouth.com