William C. Conway

William C. Conway, 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 that later became Coconut Creek's Winston Park Preserve. He was a member and former president of the South Florida Audubon Society (previously the Broward County Audubon Society) and spearheaded a coalition of Broward County wildlife conservationists to join with Miami's Tropical Audubon Society and Florida Audubon Society to halt construction in 1970 of Miami-Dade County's expansive supersonic jetport- Everglades/Big Cypress Jetport - located six miles north of Everglades National Park which 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 our community his entire life and the Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club, where he was a former president. He was the ultimate sports fan who enjoyed the beauty and grace of thoroughbred horse racing and never missed watching his beloved Miami Marlins or Miami Dolphins teams. 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, brothers-in law Richard (Jane) Kett and Philip Kett, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by siblings Jack (Patti) Conway, Carol (William) Kermond, and Edward Conway and brother-in-law Walter (Susan) Kett. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Arrangements were entrusted to Edwards Cremation & Funeral Services, Wilton Manors. On line Tributes may be shared at www.edkalis.com.