WILLIAM C. CONWAY Sr.

CONWAY, William C. Sr. 90, of Fort Lauderdale, died with his family by his side on Friday, September 23, 2016. He was a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Boston College, and Suffolk Law School. Bill practiced law in Massachusetts and Florida and was a Navy veteran of WWII and the Korean War. He was an avid birdwatcher and contributed to efforts to preserve wildlife habitats across South Florida, including donating land in Broward County for the protection of wetlands and cypress trees, which later became Coconut Creek's Winston Park Preserve. He was a former president of the South Florida Audubon Society (previously Broward County Audubon Society) and spearheaded a coalition of Broward County wildlife conservationists to join with Miami and Florida Audubon Societies to halt construction in 1970 of Miami-Dade County's expansive supersonic Everglades/Big Cypress Jetport - located six miles north of Everglades National Park. This established a conservation precedent for subsequent Everglades restoration. Bill was a man of deep faith who believed God used ordinary people to perform extraordinary tasks. He served his South Florida community his entire life and was a former president of the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club. Bill was the ultimate sports fan who enjoyed the beauty and grace of thoroughbred horse racing, and never missed watching his beloved Miami Marlins baseball or Miami Dolphins football teams. His signature style was his Aloha Shirts with their colorful Hawaiian motifs. They, along with his gentle nature, never failed to lift the spirits of those around him. His loving family and relatives were central in his life and he made them his top priority. He is survived by his spouse Ellie; sons Bill, Jr. and John; daughters: Lissa (Jim) Flowers, Denise (Lew) Naylor, Jamie Conway, and Katie (Carlos) Ballbe, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, sister Wiffy (James) Grozier of Falmouth, brothers-in law Richard (Jane) Kett of Wellesley and Philip Kett of Waban, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Jack (Patti) Conway of Scituate, Carol (William) Kermond of Winchester, and Edward Conway of Boston, and brother-in-law Walter (Susan) Kett of Acton. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Arrangements were entrusted to Edwards Cremation & Funeral Services, Wilton Manors, FL. On line condolences may be shared at

www.edkalis.com.