William Patrick Flynn, III, age 77, resident of 22948 W. Sherred Road, Venango, PA, died Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA. He had been in failing health for some time. Born on July 2, 1935 in Meadville, PA, William was a son of the late William P. Flynn, II and Esther McMullen Flynn. He had lived in Venango Township, Crawford County for the past 40 years.

Flynn, William Patrick IIIOn December 26, 1957, William married the former Bonnie Linn Holt and she survives. He graduated from Edinboro High School in 1953 and entered the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD the following year. He then attended Gannon University in Erie, receiving his education in Mechanical Engineering. For the next 20 years he was employed in Erie, first by General Electric and then by Amsco. In 1985, he and his wife moved to California where he was employed by Northrop and then McDonnell Douglas until 1992. Returning to his present home in Venango Township, Crawford County in 1992, he began to work as a independent contract engineer until his retirement in 2002.

William was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs where he sang in the choir. He likewise was a member of Company 29 of the State Police Auxiliary for which he was very proud. Of great interest to William was the theater. He was a member of the Cambridge Springs Theater Group which gave him opportunity to participate in several local Broadway musicals. He followed the Pittsburgh Steelers vigorously and he enjoyed several hobbies including wood working and carpentry with which he became quite skilled. No project, large or small, was left unchallenged. William also had great pleasure in fishing and in gardening.

In addition to his wife – Bonnie, of 54 years, William is survived by a daughter – Elizabeth Anne Waterhouse and her husband, Clifford of Mooresville, NC; five sons – William P. Flynn, IV of Venango; Robert B. Flynn and his wife, Patricia of Stow, OH; Michael P. Flynn of Waterford; James M. Flynn and his wife, Melissa of Fairview; and Christopher Flynn of Venango. Also surviving are nine grandchildren – Scott Waterhouse, Patricia Oxenreider and her husband, Will; Liam Patrick Flynn, Erin Flynn, Kelly Flynn, Sean Flynn, Lily Flynn, Eli Flynn, and Trey Flynn; and a sister – Patricia Mukina of Edinboro. A brother – Michael Edward Flynn preceded him in death.

Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 and to a prayer vigil service at 8:30 pm Friday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday morning at 10:00 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs with Reverend David Poulson, pastor of the Church, as celebrant. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be given to St. Anthony Church, 165 Beach Avenue, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.