William "Bill' F. Flowers

William “Bill” F. Flowers, 83, of Middletown, RI, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2024. He was the husband of Patricia (McGrath) Flowers for 63 years.

Bill was born in Newport, RI, son of the late Frank R. and Elvira (Botelho) Flowers. He lived in Middletown for all of his life in the house that his father built three short years before he was born. From a young age Bill worked with his father honing his skills as a carpenter and builder as he grew up building houses with his father then tree houses and go-carts with his friends. On Wyatt road he would forge lifelong friendships which he would forever cherish.

Bill was a hard worker, good friend, and most importantly, a dedicated family man. Regardless of the task that was to be completed he would put his heart and soul into the job until it was complete. As a young man, he joined the ranks of Newport Electric (now Rhode Island Energy) as a custodian. As would become a defining characteristic he excelled at his work and building relationships as he climbed the ladder to become a mechanic, a manager, finally retiring with the title of Engineer that was earned through his knowledge and dedication to the company. In his spare time Bill ran his own businesses where he would do anything from light carpentry to garage doors and everything in between. He never had to advertise relying on word of mouth and his reputation for quality workmanship. Often if he received a call where he did not know how to do something, he knew who did. In operating his business this way he would often be able to “trade favors” helping others out when they needed it.

In the small amount of time that Bill spent out of work he was an avid basketball player in his youth. As his children got older Bill began coaching ice hockey and was instrumental in setting up the Newport Hockey youth hockey league where he coached for over a decade and served as the very first vice president. His impact can be seen through the players that he mentored both on and off the ice. In retirement Bill was an avid golfer, often building the golf carts at the beginning of the year in exchange for some tee times.

Bill was a dedicated member of the community, always willing to lend a hand to help others. He was always doing something, from working on cars with friends, children, and grandchildren to golfing to helping someone with a diverse set of home projects he always kept busy. Bill excelled at building strong relationships with all those fortunate enough to know him. He built a legacy using his skills and knowledge to help his three children build the houses that they would raise their families in. He passed down his knowledge by allowing his grandchildren to work with him and by completing projects around his grandsons homes with them. 

A dedicated family man, Bill and his wife Patty have spent the past 63 years setting an example for their children and grandchildren to live up to. Showing that with hard work, devotion, and most importantly, love, happiness can be achieved in life.

Bill is survived by his wife Patricia, his children; Susan (Frank) Coyne, of Middletown, Stephen (Nadine) Flowers, of Little Compton, Frank (Athena) Flowers, of Portsmouth, his grandchildren; Brian, Shaughn, Cora, Jordan, Lauren, and his great-grandchildren; SJ, Kiernan, William, Oliver.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Teresa Beirola.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, 24, 2024, at 10:00 AM in St. Lucy's Church, 909 W. Main Road, Middletown. Burial will follow in Middletown Cemetery, Wyatt Road, Middletown.

Donations in his memory may be made to Visiting Nurses Home and Hospice, 438 East Main Road #100, Middletown, RI, 02842, or to the Middletown Fire Department, 239 Wyatt Road, Middletown, RI, 02842.

The Flowers family would like to thank Dr. Robert Cicchelli and Dr. Christopher Luttman for their years of care as well as thank the Visiting Nurses Home and Hospice, especially Rebecca Shuttlesworth RN and Mauren Zeigler RN, Evelyn Sullivan PT and Amy Hill CNA, who Bill enjoyed and trusted.