Obituary of William M. Demaree

William “Bill” Demaree, 82, gently and swiftly made his way to Heaven’s Gate on March 5, 2023, after a short-term cancer illness. His wife Lola and her two daughters Emily and Tiffany were at his bedside.

Bill was born on April 12, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan to John G. and Rhoda A. (Cook) Demaree.

Hailing from Michigan, where he received his BS with double majors in Marketing and Management from Wayne State University. He moved to the Orlando area in 1979, got his real estate license and 2 years later his broker’s license. In 1986 he moved to Englewood where he was past Director of Englewood Board of Realtors and past Director of Mid FL MLS. In the mist of his career in real estate, he has been an avid reader all of his life, always with a book in hand or at bedside. His sudoku knowledge and speed was amazing, then came his love of tropical fish.

He, Lou Foxwell and Dennis Richman spearheaded the organization of Venice Aquarium Society in 2014. He recently resigned from office in January 2023 due to health reasons. He was a member of Tampa Bay Fish Club, Coastal Fish in Sarasota and numerous other clubs in the areas. When Ian hit he had 50 aquariums running, lost 3 fish and rehomed 1200 fish to area aquatic businesses. The tanks went to Fantastic Fish in Ft. Myers.

Bill will be sadly missed by his wife of 8 ½ years Lola, one sister Susan Massengill of Brandon, FL, his son Michael (Lisa), John and Joseph of Winter Springs, FL; and his daughter Renee Demaree of Reno, NV; his step-son Mark (Amanda) Clothier family Emma and Cole of Greensboro, NC; stepson David (Bobbie Jo) Clothier family Jack, Ethan, Kaley of St. Petersburg, FL and stepdaughter Amy Clothier of Rotonda and children Abigail of Tallahassee, Sarah and Kristen. His Ohio family stepson Eric (Charlene) of Bowersville, OH, Emma (Nick) Mackie of South Charleston, OH, Malea (Caleb) Paul of Maysville, KY; daughter Lydia Michelle, Emersyn Grace, Brynlee Ann. Stepdaughter Emily (Merle) Abrams of Spring Valley, OH and daughter Abigail Highley of Cincinnati, OH; stepdaughter Tiffany (Scott) Hartman and son Colton of Waynesville, OH; and Madison (Brock) Mathis of Lebanon, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Rhoda Demeree and his wife of 37 years Marcy Demaree a Sarasota County Special Education Teacher.

Bill will always be remembered, by so many friends from his Floridian Realty office in Englewood, his friends in his many fish clubs and his many neighbors in his 35 years home in Gulf Cove.

 A Service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 12 noon at Fellowship Church of Englewood with lunch to follow. A Graveside Service will be April 22, 2023 in Pleasureville, KY at 11:30 AM on Ditto Cemetery Rd. Lunch to follow in Smithfield, Ky at Our Best Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Suncoast Humane Society and the Venice Aquarium Society.