William Connell Bolin

Born in Kansas City, MO in the home of his parents, Frank Earl Bolin and Katherene Connell Bolin, on May 7, 1928, William “Bill” Bolin attended Southwest High School as a JROTC student, followed by his enlistment into the Navy Air Reserve while attending the University of Kansas as a member if Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. After graduation with a degree in Geology, Bill was employed by the Naval Photographic and Intelligence System and applied for Officer Candidate School in Newport RI, where he graduated as an Ensign. He was assigned to the Photographic Squadron VU-62 in Sanford, FL, and was deployed overseas to Turkey during the Korean War, developing and interpreting aerial photography brought back from the front lines. After returning to NAS Sanford, Bill was on Christmas leave back to Kansas City when he met his future bride on a flight. Lynn Tofson was a stewardess for TWA and she fell for the handsome young man in uniform. The two were married four months later on April 23, 1955.

After leaving active service, Bill continued in the Naval Air Reserves until his retirement in 1973 with the rank of Commander. He started his family in St. Louis, MO with three boys, Bill Jr., Craig, and Steve while working for Airforce Mapping. After a short stint back in Kansas City with the City Department, Bill took a job in Columbus, OH at North American Aviation (later North American Rockwell and then Rockwell International) where he worked for 14 years. Moving to Florida in 1973, Bill and Lynn bought a gift shop on Park Avenue in Winter Park, FL where they became active in the Church of the Good Sheperd. Hearing his calling, Bill was accepted into training and was ordained a Deacon into the St. Nicholas CEC. After moving to Largo, Florida to be closer to their grandchildren, Bill was accepted by the Bishop as a Deacon at St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church. He delivered Meals on Wheels for 15 years and served as a Hospice Chaplain with Suncoast Hospice where he was on call 24/7 for eight years.

Bill was an Eagle Scout, and served as a Troop Leader for his boy’s Scout Troop in Columbus, OH; was a Lifetime Member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and a Distinguished Member of the St. Petersburg Chapter; was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, for being a descendent from a patriot who fought in the Revolutionary War, and was a member of the American Legion. He is survived by two sons, Bill Jr. of Wimauma, FL and Steve of DeBary, FL, a daughter-in-law Ellen, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services will be at St. Dunstan’s Church in Largo, FL on November 28, 2023 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation in Clearwater or to the Building Fund at St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church in Largo.