William E. “Bill” Florence, Sr., 92 of Shadyside, Ohio died Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He was born June 14, 1925 in Wheeling, West Virginia a son of the late Earl B. and Elizabeth C. Dockter Florence.

Bill was a retired brakeman and conductor for the B & O Railroad, a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shadyside, Ohio, Shadyside Lodge 724 F & AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Steubenville, Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Ohio Chapter 107, Osiris Shrine and the American Legion Post 521 Shadyside, Ohio. He was a US Navy veteran of World War II serving as a Seaman First Class.

The family wishes to thank the Amedisys Hospice for their devoted care extended to Bill and his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Clendenin Florence, whom he married on April 6, 1947, his son, William “Buster” Florence, Jr. and a daughter, Jackie Florence, his sister, Mary Emma Norman and his brother, Gerald Florence.

Surviving are three daughters, Dreama (Ronald) Smith of Tallmadge, Ohio, Donna (Rick) Sims Shadyside, Ohio and Darlene (James) Mackey of Stow, Ohio. Also eight grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the Bauknecht-Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory 3900 Central Avenue Shadyside, Ohio on Saturday from 6 to 8 pm and Sunday from 2 to 8 pm where services will be held on Monday at 11 am with Pastor Joy Wright officiating. Interment in the Holly Memorial Gardens in Pleasant Grove, Ohio with Full Military Honors by the Belmont County Veterans Association.

Masonic services will be conducted on Sunday at 7 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Buster Florence Scholarship Fund or the Shriners Childrens Hospital by going to TMCFunding.com.

Share your thoughts and memories with Bill’s family at www.bauknechtaltmeyer. com.