By Staff
U.S. veteran William Patrick “Packy” Flynn, 87, died Dec. 24, 2008, at the HospiceCare Center in Louisville.
He was born Jan. 21, 1921, to James M. and Nellie (Henley) Flynn in Pueblo. The family was separated in 1929 and he came to live with his Aunt Bessie Henley at Daley School east of Longmont. He graduated from Erie High School in 1939.
Bill was a World War II veteran where he served with a battalion in Canada building the Alcan Highway. He participated in the Normandy Invasion and marched across Europe during the European Campaign. He was honorably discharged in November 1945.
He was a long-time resident of the Longmont area where he fed cattle and farmed for many years. In the 1960s, he began working in the coal mines to supplement the farm income. He worked at the Washington Mine in Erie, the Lincoln Mine in Dacono and then spent 10 years commuting to the mines in Craig. He retired in the early 1980s. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the United Mine Workers of America.
He married Mildred (Powell) Flynn Aug. 24, 1946, in Denver. She preceded him in death Aug. 12, 1996, just short of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Survivors include his sons, James (Khileen) Flynn of Platteville, Kevin (Connie) Flynn of Firestone, and Shawn (Dana) Flynn of Berthoud; a daughter, Maureen Flynn Day of Longmont; a brother, Emmett (Ruby) Flynn of Northglenn; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren or step-great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law, Katie Powell and June Powell Miller, both of Longmont.
A memorial service was Jan. 6 in Longmont. Cremation took place at Howe Mortuary and Cremation Services.
