William "Bill" Edward Monfort

William Edward "Bill" Monfort of Clearwater, Florida, died peacefully on April 6, 2025, at the age of 108. He was born on December 17, 1916, in Marion County, Georgia to Patrick Henry and Effie Eldora (Hogg) Monfort. He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 sisters, 3 brothers, and his daughter, Frankie Monfort. He is survived by his son William “Bill” (Karen) Monfort II, his daughters Rossie Monfort and Neppie (Don) Alexander, brother Norman Monfort, and his 6 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Bill joined the U.S. Navy at age 18, serving from 1935 until 1946, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Senior Radioman. When the U.S. entered World War II following Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), his ship was at sea out of Pearl Harbor. His wartime service was in the Pacific Theater, including the Philippines, where his ship and its crew survived a Kamikaze attack in the battle for Leyte Gulf.

In 1955, Bill married Bessie Flood, a Registered Nurse, and began his 27-year career as an Air Traffic Control Specialist with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), retiring in 1982. The couple moved their family from Birmingham, Alabama to Tampa, Florida in 1964 in search of better resources for their disabled daughter. As founding board members of Angels Unaware, Inc., Bill and his wife advocated for changes in state legislation to improve care, services and opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Today, this non-profit organization operates 8 group homes in the Tampa Bay area.

Bill enthusiastically volunteered in leadership and project roles for many local organizations, including the West Shore Baptist Church, Hillsborough County Council of Parent Teacher Associations (HCCPTA), Westshore Palms Neighborhood Association, Gray Gables/Bon Air Civic Club, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Bayshore Patriots, American Legion (Post 5), Fleet Reserve Association, and Tampa Bay Chief Petty Officers Association.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 25, 12:00 pm, at West Shore Baptist Church, 305 N. Manhattan Avenue in Tampa. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bill's life. This service will be livestreamed on the church’s YouTube channel: The Church @ West Shore: https://www.youtube.com/@churchatwestshore A brief graveside service will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens in Thonotosassa.

Viewing/family visitation: April 25, 11:00-11:45 am at West Shore Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Angels Unaware at https://www.halo-foundation.com/?page_id=5, your local food bank or a personally meaningful charity.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Landmark Assisted Living Facility and his healthcare providers for helping Bill fully enjoy the final years his life.