William B. Floyd

William B. Floyd, age 91, passed away Saturday December 10th, 2016. A.K.A. - Brutz (nicknamed by his brother Donald) was raised in Union County, KY by his parents Benjamin and Charlotte Floyd where he is survived by his sister Bernice Floyd Chandler. In April, 1943 he enlisted in the US. Army Air Force after he moved to Wayne County, Michigan. During his 51 missions he was stationed in Foja, Italy as a Staff Sargeant (tailgunner) on a B-17 Bomber, some of the battles and campaigns fought were Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; Air Offensive Europe where he crash landed in the Adriatic Sea after beIng shot down over Yoguslavia July 2, 1944. The successful rescue 12 hours later brought back all but 1 man who perished. William Floyd was awarded the Purple Heart. Also, decorated with 5 Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Ribbon, Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Clusters and Distinguished Unit Citation. He was honorably dishcharged in August 1945. He is the last survivor of his 10 man crew that belonged to the 306th Bomb Group. After a blind date, 6 months later he married Ilene Mack on the 1st day of summer 1947 (his wife of 69 years), originally from Detroit MI where they raised their family of 8 children in Fraser Michigan. He made his living owning several Automotive Service Stations from Royal Oak to Fraser MI. William sold his business's and moved to Venice, FL where he was stationed earlier at the location where Venice Airport is now when he was in WW II. He always had his sights set to come back to Venice, FL as he called it paradise then.... In 1972, he made it a reality and enjoyed setting new goals from building homes to creating new businesses while making many friends and memories along the way! He was a member of Epiphany Cathedral, Venice, FL, American Legion, Lady Lake, FL, Knights of Columbus, Venice, FL, and the Elks Club of Venice. Survived by his wife, Ilene Mack Floyd and 5 children; David W. Floyd, Daniel B. Floyd with wife Penny Floyd, Gerald S. Floyd, Janis M.Floyd Pierce with husband Larry Pierce and Charles E. Floyd. 9 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren will cherish his memory. (Preceded in Death:) 3 sons, Robert A. Floyd, William T. Floyd , Jeffrey C. Floyd, brother Donald Floyd and sister Eva Floyd Hallinan who all welcome him with open arms. Memorial donaions may be made in his Memory to: The Wounded Warrior Project https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=7792&ovr_acv_id=2703. This Sunday, December 18, 2016 a memorial gathering to be held from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, with a service to follow at 3:00 pm. at the Toale Brothers Ewing Chapel, located at 140 E. Venice Ave, Venice, Florida 34285, Phone: (941) 488-7737, Fax: (941) 955-6928. Interment with full military honors will be held on Monday December 19, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241

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William B. Floyd

December 10, 2016