Obituary for William Newman III

The family announces the passing of William Newman III at Hospice House of Vero Beach at the age of 95 on December 10, 2011.

Bill was born in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1916. Growing up in Webster Groves, Missouri, he was president of his high school and a star high jumper.

Bill holds degrees from Westminster College in Fulton Missouri, The University of Chicago and Washington University Law School. He won many honors in law school, one of which was winning the Moot Court.

Following law school, he went directly into the FBI as a Special Agent and served in the bureau for 11 years. For a brief period of time he served as a special assistant to J. Edgar Hoover, a man that he greatly admired.

He had a successful career in business but it was his involvement in a program of personal growth dynamics, started by his brother Jim, that gave him the most satisfaction.

He was married for 66 years to Mary Francis Higgins. She preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Parsons of Long Beach, IN and Susan Coffin of Vero Beach, FL and Block Island, R.I.

He has five grandchildren: Peter Coffin of Ridgfield, CT, Jared Coffin of Newport News, VA, Samantha Kohler of Newtown, CT, Lisa Wiland of St. Louis, MO, and Colby Parsons of Denton, TX.

He was great grandfather to nine: Ashley Coffin, Kennedy Coffin, William Coffin, Charles Coffin, Abigail Kohler, David Kohler, Charlotte Wiland, MacKenzie O'Keefe and Miles O'Keefe.

He is survived by his beloved fiance, Boots Holden of Vero Beach, FL.

Contributions may be made to Hospice House of Vero Beach.

There will be a service at Holy Cross Church Friday Dec. 16th at 10:00 am.