William M. Flater, known as Bill, age 80, passed away peacefully on March 30th after a long illness. He was born to William M. Flater and (Margot) Helen Byers on February 10, 1945, in Niagara Falls, NY. Bill served in the Air Force SAC command and graduated from Niagara University with a degree in Sociology/Social Work. Bill loved all animals, growing up with a dog, a cat, and a box turtle. He also raised guinea pigs, rabbits, and lizards with his children. Bill was interested in space exploration and alien life forms. He watched many Space Shuttle launches from our front yard in Longwood, FL. An amateur painter, Bill enjoyed sharing his works with family and friends. He loved traveling and worked in numerous cities across the US and Canada before settling down to marry. He is survived by his wife, Joanne, with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage, and two children, Shaun (Laura) Flater of Carlsbad, CA, and Alison (Thomas) Palasciano of Poway, CA. He is a proud grandfather of Asher and Romy Flater. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Santo) Fruscione of Lewiston, NY, niece Susan (Paul) Holtz of Gilbert, AZ, many nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and his rescue dog Chewy. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen, his sister Ann Newell, and his porch buddy dog, Hunter. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. If you would like to donate in Bill’s honor, please direct donations to: - Verrado Community Paws at https://www.communitypaws.org/in-memory - Verrado Heritage Elementary School to help fund much-needed art supplies at https://lesdedfoundation.org/donate/