William “Bill” Flanagin
dec. 3-10-2018
Bill Flanagin, 68, of Walsenburg Colorado died Saturday, March 10 from heart failure. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Edie Hale Flanagin; sons Spencer, Benjamin (Kalyn), and Samuel (Nicole) Flanagin; and grandsons Liam and Seamus Flanagin. He is also survived by his nephew, David Hankins, niece, Judy West (Richard), numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and in laws.
Bill and Edie moved to Walsenburg in 2005 after 30 years of teaching in Texas. Bill worked hard on renovating the house on Cedar Street and keeping the yard and garden beautiful. He and Edie loved to take long drives around the Spanish Peaks region, attend the many music events in Huerfano County, and watch the weekly movie at the Fox Theatre.
Bill grew up in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. He graduated from Irving High School in 1967, served in the U.S. Army as a flame thrower instructor at Fort McClellan in Alabama, and graduated from North Texas State University (now University of North Texas) in 1977. His career in education began when he and Edie were house parents at Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. After graduating college Bill taught Special Ed classes in Commerce, and Alvord, Texas and middle school science in Bridgeport, Texas.
When Bill’s health started declining last year, he and Edie moved back to the Bridgeport area to be closer to family but his true home was Huerfano County.
A memorial/ wake is scheduled in Walsenburg, at Lathrop State Park, for Saturday, May 19, at 4 pm. Details will announced later in the World Journal.
A Texas celebration of life for Bill will be Saturday, March 17, 1 pm in Irving. Condolences can be mailed to Edie and family at: 1509 Thompson Street, Bridgeport, TX 76426.
