Funeral services for William “Bill” Floyd Flood, 88, of Leland will be at 11:00 a.m, Friday, October 2 at Leland Presbyterian Church. He died Sunday, September 27 at his home after a lengthy illness with cancer and heart disease. Burial will be in Leland-Stoneville Cemetery.
Mr. Flood was the son of John and Nora Flood born in Flint, Michigan on January 17, 1927. He graduated from Flint Central High School in 1944 at which time he joined the United States Marine Corp. He trained in the Mojave Desert with the Navajo Indians before shipping out. Earning the rank of Corporal, he fought in the Pacific arena of World War II, specifically in Guam, Spain, Midway, and Iwo Jima. He was wounded in action in hand-to-hand combat while on the Solomon Islands, where he was saved by a Marine buddy. He received both the purple heart as well as the Bronze Star for valor.
Bill not only a patriot for his country, is also remembered for his devotion, commitment, and support to his community of Leland. Moving to Leland in 1948, he married Mary Francis Dawkins on January 2, 1949. For a number of years he worked at Leland Oil Works, Arnold Appliance, and Dawkins Appliance before establishing his own television repair service. During this period he was also employed as a mail carrier for the U. S. Post Office, a position he held for 36 years. Many people remember him from their years as “Mr. Bill” – the mailman who always had treats in his pockets for the young children as well as letters in his mail pouch for their parents.
In 1960, Bill joined the Leland Fire Department and remained actively involved for 55 years. He served initially as a volunteer fireman but later became assistant fire chief and then fire chief. He has received numerous awards during his tenure with Leland Fire Department, the most recent having been the 2014 Leland Fire Fighter of the Year, the very first recipient of this honor.
Bill Flood was loved by all and touched the lives of all who had contact with him. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Francis Dawkins Flood, 3 children, Marcia Flood of Starkville, Bebe Flood of Columbus, and Mark Kipling Flood of Southaven. He leaves behind 8 loving grandchilden, DeAnne Prewitt (Barney) of Starkville, Jonathan Wilburn (Jenny) of Marietta, GA, Daniel Wilburn (Sarah) of Acworth, GA, Alanna McCarty (Chris) of Brandon, Alexandra Tharp, Kristen Davis (Glenn) of Horn Lake, Heather Flood of Milbourne, FL, and Vicki Torres (Jorge) of Melbourne, FL. He is also survived by 13 great grandchildren, Will Prewitt, Wes Prewitt, Emma Prewitt, James Wilburn, Addie Wilburn, Colton McCarty, Mary Reagan McCarty, Zane Tharp, Delilah Flood, Madison Torres, Milo Torres, Maddox Torres, and Braylon Torres. Additionally, Bill is survived by many devoted nieces and nephews, and countless friends. His circle of friends was vast and he will certainly be missed by his buddies at Mid Town Laundromat, a place where for numerous years he started off his day with a 6:00 a.m., breakfast where many laughs and jokes were shared. Bill Flood, a Leland icon, was cherished by all.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be made to Leland Fire Department or the the Veterans Association or to a charity of choice.