William Maurice "Bill" Howard

William "Bill" Maurice Howard, 87, of St. Pete Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 15, 2025, at the St. Petersburg General Hospital. Bill was born November 7, 1937, in Washington, Indiana, to Charles and Frances Howard, the youngest of twelve children and adored by his family.
Bill graduated from Washington Catholic High School and was a member of the National Honor Society. He then moved to Indianapolis and attended Butler University and spent eight years in the United States Navy Reserves. Bill was a devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus. It was during this time when he met the love of his life, Nancy, his wife of nearly sixty-five years.
Bill had a proud and honored career in aviation that spanned decades with TWA, Lake Central Airlines, Eastern Airlines/System One and Amadeus, providing reservations services to travel agents, passenger processing, and flight management services.
Bill maintained a strong foundation for his family while gaining deep respect from those around him. He stood firm in his principles and showed kindness and integrity through his daily actions.
As a gentleman with a great sense of humor, Bill could recite or produce a limerick, poem, or joke with the best of them. Though he is deeply missed, the memory of his strength, humor and goodness will continue to live on in the lives he touched.
Bill was preceded in death by daughter, Elizabeth Noel Howard.
Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy; his children and their partners: Christopher (Nancy), Michael (Alejandra), Joseph (Julia), David (Glory Fe), Charles (Luz) and Katherine (Peter); sister, Patricia Cosby and many loving nieces and nephews. He was a proud grandfather to nineteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am, Friday, October 10, 2025, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 315 NE 3rd Street, Washington, Indiana. Father Paul Ferguson will be the celebrant. Burial will be in the St. John Cemetery.
Condolences may be left online at www.edleemortuary.com. The staff of the Ed L. Lee Mortuary is honored to have been entrusted with Bill Howard's arrangements.