108yearold Tampa Bay Area WWII veteran passes away
Apr 11, 2025
A Tampa Bay Area veteran, who may have been the oldest living World War II veteran in Florida, passed away on Sunday.Bill Monfort was 108 years old.ABC Action News shared his story time and again as he reached milestone birthday
s, most recently this past December.WATCH 108-year-old Tampa Bay Area WWII veteran passes away 108-year-old Tampa Bay Area WWII veteran passes awayI feel fine, like a young fella! the veteran said a few days ahead of his 108th birthday in December.Im going to remember him more as a good dad, said William "Bill" Monfort II, the WWII veteran's son.Bill said his dad was very family-oriented and someone who would help a lot of people.Its never easy. You know its going to happen. I mean 108, its just a matter of time, said Bill. Im glad I had more time with him than most people do, so Im grateful for that.The Tampa Bay Area veteran served in the Navy during World War II, survived a kamikaze attack, and overcame COVID-19.His service was something that meant a lot to him.He talked about being at Pearl Harbor, said Bill. He was offshore when the attack happened, but he was the radio chief on board the ship, so he was the one that received Morse code messages in and out, and so he was the first one to receive the message about Pearl Harbor being under attack.Monforts birthdays were a highlight for friends and family each December. This year wouldve marked the 109th.Every December 17th, it was a big deal for the family, Bill said. Im still going to keep doing it. Still, come here and have everybody get together and do the same thing. I think hed like that. ...read more read less