William “Brother” McCants born September 22, 1943 in Pensacola, Florida Esambia County to the late Rennel Lee Flowers and William Roe McCants. At an early age, he was baptized at St. Matthew Lutheran Church and also attended the school. He later transferred to public school. Upon graduating from Booker T Washington Senior High School, class of 1962, he moved to New York where he met and married Edna Mae Ware, his wife of 49 years. To this union, three children were born…Marcellus, Yvette and Marcia. He continued his education at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and received his degree. He was employed at Mount Sinai Hospital Services as a Respiratory Therapist in Elmhurst, NY for more than 40 years. During this time, he was an instructor for Respiratory Therapy technicians. Upon retiring, he returned to Pensacola where he remained until God called him home.

William loved traveling. He and his family would often take trips where he would drive to point’s unknown. He became a “cruise bum”, taking many cruises in his lifetime with his wife. He had an abundance of hobbies: an avid reader, photography, fishing, swimming, and a lover of nature. William loved speaking to the elderly saying: “You can learn so much just by listening”. He enjoyed watching boxing and would often quote Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay): “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”. William loved learning about Ancient History, different cultures, and researching family history realizing how important it is to know where you came from.

William was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, confidant and friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Rennel Lee Flowers and William Roe McCants, and siblings: WC Flowers, Harold Flowers, Christine Flowers and Annie Pearl Price. He leaves to cherish his memories: his wife, Edna; son, Marcellus (New York); daughters: Yvette (Pensacola, FL) and Marcia; grandchildren: Gabrielle and Matthew (New York); sisters: W. Bell Daniels (Pensacola, FL), Thelma Gibson (Petersburg, VA), Dorothy Everett (Arlington, TX), Gussie Elizabeth Wright (Pensacola, FL), Helen McLeod(Pensacola, FL) and Emma Persons (New Brunswick, NJ); brother: Leo (McCants) Flowers (Pensacola, FL) and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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