Mr. William Cone McElmurray's Obituary
McElmurray, William Cone, 86, passed away May 1, 2009. Born August 20, 1922
Tampa, Florida. Son of J. E. and Bertha H. McElmurray. Bill was a 5th generation Floridian, life-long Tampa resident, and the great, great, grandson of Capt. William Cone, who captured Billy Bow Legs in the 2nd Seminole War. He attended Plant High School where he participated in athletics and student government and was President of the senior class of 1940. Bill attended the University of Florida and then was called into active service in 1943. He was in the Army Field Artillery and transferred to the Army Air Force pilot training. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant and was a fighter pilot, flying the famous P-51.
After WWII, Bill returned to the University of Florida to complete his senior year and graduated with a BS BA degree in 1947. He was a member of the SAE Fraternity and served as its chapter President.
Bill returned to Tampa and worked in the property & casualty insurance business for 10 years. He joined forces with Bill Poe in 1957, and two years later help found the firm Poe, Driscoll & McElmurray, Inc., then later Poe & Associates, Inc. where he was Vice President for 30 years before retiring in 1987.
Bill was active in the community serving as secretary of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, president of the Tampa Tarpon Tournament and King of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla XXXVI in 1949.
Bill started sailing as a youngster, active in the Hyde Park Newport Navy and later raced small boats on Tampa Bay. He then began serious ocean racing, participating in races to Cuba, Bermuda, Mexico, and Jamaica. For 15 years he sailed the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit which consisted of races to Ft. Lauderdale, Grand Bahama, and Nassau. He served as mate on the first overall winner, Doubloon and captain of Neat Package, winner of the Lipton Cup race. He was active at the Davis Islands Yacht Club as a member since 1951.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Lois Page McElmurray, and is survived by his son, Clay McElmurray and his wife Penn, his daughter, Wendy Brinkley, her husband, Scott and grandchildren, Casey McElmurray, Shannon McElmurray, Bryan McElmurray, Shaw Brinkley, and Meredith Brinkley.
The family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tues., May 5 at Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Avenue. Memorial services will take place at 3:00 p.m., Wed., May 6 at First Presbyterian Church Tampa, downtown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LifePath Hospice.
Boza & Roel Funeral Home
4730 North Armenia Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33603
(813) 877-7676
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