William L. ‘Bill’ Snow
William L. “Bill” Snow, 98, of Anna Maria, died at his home May 15.
A father, small business owner, entrepreneur and lover of airplanes and boats, Mr. Snow was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Detroit. He attended Cooley High School until his life plan was forever changed by the start of World War II.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at 17, learned to fly and became a pilot of B-17s and was flying missions over Germany by the age of 19.
He never looked back.
He married his partner, first mate and co-pilot, Verna Niemonen in 1944 and they enjoyed 70 years of adventures flying, boating and exploring the world.
Mr. Snow held a number of patents in the precast and cremation industry. Always ahead of his time, he identified the future of cremation and the need for providing dignified resting places to honor the departed.
After retiring to their Anna Maria home, Mr. Snow was an active participant with the city in the early road/sewer infrastructure planning. He also was a weekly racquetball player until his late 80s and rode his bike to the Anna Maria post office every day into his 90s.
A military service is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at Sarasota National Cemetery and a celebration of life is being planned in Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to Wreaths Across America: wreathsacrossamerica.org or Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County at bgcmanatee.org.
Mr. Snow is survived by his children, Debra Dykema of Traverse City, Michigan, Valerie Snow of Bradenton, William P. and wife Pam of Gaylord, Michigan, and Barbara Zdravecky of Anna Maria Island; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Mr. Snow’s caregivers, Kim, Jason, Kelly, Erica,Vickie and Von and are grateful to Ariel and Tavon of Tidewell Hospice.
William L. “Bill” Snow, 98, of Anna Maria, died at his home May 15.
A father, small business owner, entrepreneur and lover of airplanes and boats, Mr. Snow was born Sept. 27, 1924, in Detroit. He attended Cooley High School until his life plan was forever changed by the start of World War II.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at 17, learned to fly and became a pilot of B-17s and was flying missions over Germany by the age of 19.
He never looked back.
He married his partner, first mate and co-pilot, Verna Niemonen in 1944 and they enjoyed 70 years of adventures flying, boating and exploring the world.
Mr. Snow held a number of patents in the precast and cremation industry. Always ahead of his time, he identified the future of cremation and the need for providing dignified resting places to honor the departed.
After retiring to their Anna Maria home, Mr. Snow was an active participant with the city in the early road/sewer infrastructure planning. He also was a weekly racquetball player until his late 80s and rode his bike to the Anna Maria post office every day into his 90s.
A military service is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 13, at Sarasota National Cemetery and a celebration of life is being planned in Michigan. Memorial donations may be made to Wreaths Across America: wreathsacrossamerica.org or Boys & Girls Club of Manatee County at bgcmanatee.org.
Mr. Snow is survived by his children, Debra Dykema of Traverse City, Michigan, Valerie Snow of Bradenton, William P. and wife Pam of Gaylord, Michigan, and Barbara Zdravecky of Anna Maria Island; seven grandchildren and their spouses; and seven great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Mr. Snow’s caregivers, Kim, Jason, Kelly, Erica,Vickie and Von and are grateful to Ariel and Tavon of Tidewell Hospice.