William D. Flowers passed away peacefully November 7, 2023. Born September 29, 1942, to the late Paul Flowers and the late Jean (nee Hess) Flowers.
Devoted husband of Joan (nee Harrison) Flowers. Beloved brother of Joseph Flowers (Nicole), Anne (Philipe) Howlett, Paula (Robert) Schopps, and Mimi (Richard) Batts, and favorite Uncle of his many nieces and nephews.
Bill grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago and graduated New Trier High School in Wilmette in 1961. After high school, he served for several years in the United States Marine Reserves.
Bill spent his early career in business communications with several different companies including the Chicago Tribune Newspaper.
He and Joan met in Chicago while working for a mutual client and married in 1978. After they were married, they moved to St. Louis MO. Bill worked as a manager for the City Housing Authority and retired from the City of St. Louis where he worked in the Juvenile Justice Program.
At the age of 80, he surprised the entire family by asking them to help celebrate his birthday by watching him sky-dive, from 10,000 feet, for the first time. Of course we all thought he was joking, but no, he actually did it! He didn’t stop grinning for a month.
Bill loved animals. Dogs, cats, fish and for a few years even Hermit Crabs. He was always on the lookout for a stray or unwanted pet to adopt or help find a home. He is survived by his goldfish, Davey.
Of all the reasons we loved Bill his sense of humor was his most endearing legacy. No one was immuned from his jokes, stories, pranks and tall tales, especially himself. He smiled the best and laughed the hardest when the joke was on him. Who else do you know could quote any line from any Three Stooges movie at exactly the right time in a conversation?
The sillier the birthday card one gave him the better. He most enjoyed quirky gag gifts and gadgets from Spencers, Brookstone or The Sharper Image. They always brought a laugh.
He loved cars and had a nice collection of classic car models from The Franklin Mint and other suppliers on his bookshelf.
The memory of Bill will always bring a smile to all who knew and loved him. As usual RIP funny man.
There will be no visitation as Bill donated his body to the Washington University Body Donor Program in St. Louis MO.
A private celebration of his life for family and friends will take place at a later date.
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Bill was a dear friend. He was the first friend I made after moving to St. Louis.
I will miss his humor.
Knowing him has contributed to the richness of my life.
I hope he felt the same of my friendship.
He will be missed.
I will so miss Bill’s clever humor, and his tall tales of fabrications. He loved making people laugh or telling some outlandish story, that I finally figured out were often made up with a straight face, and oh so sincere. You have lived a good life when someone thinks of you, and smiles. Thank you for all the laughs, which were often more needed than you knew. Rest in Peace Dear Friend.
Judith Studebaker