William Blair,

BLAIR, Mr. William, Jr. - Age 68, passed away Sunday, May 23, 2010 at Avalon Hospice. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, May 31, 2010 at St. James C.M.E. Church, 310 W. Wood St., with funeral service commencing at 10:30 a.m., Rev. Patricia A. Havis officiating. Family and friends will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Blair will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., 10am-6pm Sunday. Mr. William Thomas Blair Jr., affectionately known as “Blair” or “Mr. Blair” was born on July 4, 1941 in Wetumpka, Alabama, the son of William Thomas Sr. and Essie Mae (Dunn) Blair. He became an avid reader at an early age. This led to one of his first jobs…reading the bible to and for the pastor of the Spring Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, who was blind. During his service with his pastor, Blair realized that he needed to accept Christ as his personal Savior. He graduated from Elmore County Training School in Wetumpka, Alabama in 1959…and in 1963, he graduated from the Tuskegee Institute, earning a Bachelor’s degree. A lifelong educator, Blair began his teaching career at the Academy Street High School in Troy, Alabama where he taught physical education and health as well as serving as the coach of the basketball team. In the mid 70’s he relocated to Flint, Michigan where he worked security for General Motors at the Fisher Body Coldwater Rd. Plant. At the same time, he continued to dedicate himself to the field of education, earning two masters degrees from Eastern Michigan University. “Blair” enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the Flint Community Schools beginning at Bryant Jr. High, continuing to Flint Academy, and finally to Flint Southwestern Academy, retiring in 2006. In 1976, he joined the St. James Christian Espicopal Church where he was a faithful, dedicated, and active member until March of 2010, when his health no longer allowed him to do so. He served as Chairman of the Steward Board, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Male Chorus, always willing to serve he performed other special duties upon the request of the pastor. “Blair” also attended Eternal Life Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was an avid sports enthusiast, who also enjoyed studying the Bible, fishing, traveling and taking care of his plants. “Blair" was a protective loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He leaves to cherish his memory: faithful devoted companion and lovely wife of 18 years, Peggy A. Blair; 2 devoted daughters, Wilandrea (Charles) Blair Fisher of Glendale, CA and Ingrid Blair of Southfield, MI; 2 loving step-daughters, Victoria N. Shelton and Crystal M. Jones of Flint; step-son: Scypion A. Pleasant of North Dakota; 5 grandchildren, Jhaylen Juan Watson, Sidney Blair Fisher and Satchel Norman Fisher, Varshari Jones and Jashayla Shelton; 2 sisters, Josie Pearl (Julius) Howard of Willingboro, NJ and Edna (John) Elmore of Wetumpka, AL; 4 uncles, Rev. Auston Dunn, Rev. Willie Dunn, Mr. Julius Dunn and Mr. LaDale Dunn; a host of other relatives and friends including, Otissteen Blair and Mrs. Sweetie Mae Ethridge. A special acknowledgement to best friend, Mr. Charles Thomas, spiritual father, Mr. George McClain, Rev. Patricia A. Havis and the St. James C.M.E Church family, Pastor and Mrs. Paul H. Musson, M.D. and the Eternal Life SDA Church family. Mr. Blair was preceded in death by his parents, Adrien and Josephine Dunn and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Blair; nephew, Michael Elmore; great-nephew, Jakavius Anthony. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Stevens, Dr. Danish, Dr. Kang, Genesys Health Park medical staff and Avalon Hospice Center.

William Blair,

July 4, 1941 - May 23, 2010