Bill was born in Butler, PA to Ira and Helen Fehl on March 7, 1938. After graduating from Butler Senior High School in 1956, Bill entered the Navy and served on the Destroyer “Owen” from 1957 through 1961. Upon his honorable discharge from service, Bill began working at Armco Steel and Pennsylvania Power & Light. Around this time, Bill met his wife of 35 years, Charlene. Bill also attended cosmetology school with Char, opened a beauty shop in their home, and had had 3 children; James, Ted and Bill. In 1977, the family moved to Seminole, FL to be closer to Bill’s parents, Helen and Karl Barnes. Once in Seminole, Bill began working as a deck hand with Misner Marine Construction Company. He worked his way to Captain and spent many years sailing throughout Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, finally retiring in 2010.
Capt Bill had a series of hobbies and personal pleasures that he enjoyed. Starting at a young age, Bill began riding his Indian Chief motorcycle, even when he was barely tall enough to touch the ground. Later, Bill introduced his children to the joys of riding as well. Together, the Fehls enjoyed traveling his many Hondas throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway and beyond.
Bill loved a quiet night sitting in front of a fire with friends, especially if he was perched in his hot tub. As an avid tinkerer, he was always working on something around his home and rigging an assortment of projects together. Bill enjoyed his collecting and caring for his many firearms. He also enjoyed a very green thumb and fostered growing flowers and plants in his garden. Some of Bill’s best memories include a good beer in his hand and a good friend at his side.
Bill was also a member of the NRA, the American Legion and the Masons.
Bill will be remembered as a man with a strong sense of humor, a generous heart, a love of his family and friends, and a free spirit that was unique to him alone.
Bill is survived by his two sons with their spouses, Ted (Jacob) and Bill (Alexi), 2 grandchildren, Jessie Keifel and Teagan Fehl, and by his brother, Gene (Carol) Fehl. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Barnes and son, James.
The Fehl family invites his family and friends to a memorial service for Bill at the Florida Botanical Gardens off Walsingham Road on Monday, January 14 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Rather than flowers for his service, we ask that any loving tributes be donated to either the Pinellas Humane Society, in honor of his dog Tilly, or the Florida Botanical Gardens, in honor of his loving green thumb.
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