Conservationist, Florida Aquarium Founder Bill Crown Dead At 80

CLEARWATER, FL — The community is mourning the death of longtime community service volunteer, conservationist and founder of The Florida Aquarium, Bill Crown.

Crown died at home surrounding by his family Wednesday.

In December, Crown was surprised to learn his stomach pain was due to stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

From the moment he received the diagnosis, his family said he was determined that his death be a testament of his faith.

“I understand this is terminal; there is no need to fight. I am at peace with the Lord and want to spend the rest of my days as joyfully as possible," he said.

The longtime Clearwater resident made the most of his last days with friends and family, even celebrating his 80th birthday on Jan. 4.

A lifelong conservationist, Crown founded The Florida Aquarium Inc. in 1986. His dream of building a permanent home for the aquarium at 701 Channelside Drive in Tampa was realized in 1995. Crown went on to serve on the nonprofit aquarium's board of directors and as a trustee.

“Bill was one of the driving forces behind opening The Florida Aquarium more than 25 years ago," said Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium. "It was his vision to create a conservation-based aquarium that would inspire, educate and captivate children and adults alike. He worked tirelessly to gather the financial backing for the aquarium, along the way always encouraging others to protect Florida’s precious natural environment. While we have lost a great ambassador and friend, Bill’s presence will forever be felt at The Florida Aquarium.”

Germann called Crown an "inspiration, and said he is dedicated to ensurr that Crown's vision and standards for The Florida Aquarium always be honored.

Crown was the oldest of three brothers, who were his best friends. Bill, Ron and Bob, the sons of William E. Crown Jr. and Nancy Hazel Flowers, were considered the local experts when it came to fishing and were often seen heading out before and after school to fish for tarpon, snook or whatever was biting that day.

Crown also enjoyed waterskiing, especially impressing friends with his barefoot skiing abilities.

Following Clearwater High School, he attended the University of Florida where he became a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, eventually leading his chapter as president, all while earning a degree in advanced accounting.

Crown eventually joined his father Bill Jr. at the company he founded in 1946, Crown & Company. Later, Crown's younger brother, Bob, also joined the firm, and now Crown's daughter, Lindsey, is the third generation to carry on the business.

Crown's list of accomplishments and community involvement is long and varied.

In 1985, Crown was awarded the prestigious David Bilgore Memorial Award for outstanding humanitarian service for his leadership with the Suncoast Active Volunteers for Ecology (SAVE), which led efforts for Pinellas County to purchase conservation lands including 65 acres on Sand Key, 380 acres of the Walsingham Reservoir, 700 acres of Weedon Island, 136 acres at Cooper's Point, Wall Springs, the 7,000-acre Brooker Creek Preserve, Joe's Creek Nature Preserve and Sawgrass Lake, among them.

He also dedicated his time to Morton F. Plant Hospital, the YWCA, Pinellas County Education Development Foundation, Kiwanis Club, Florida Gulf Coast Arts Center and the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce.

He served on the boards of St Paul’s School, Berkeley Preparatory School and Clearwater High School along with chairing Raise Excellence at Clearwater High (REACH) in the 1980s, a fundraising group to raise money for computers and laboratory equipment at the school.

Crown's experience and efforts in conservation led to him becoming the president of the Clearwater Marine Science Center, which is now the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

But he had an even bigger dream to create an aquarium that showed the progression of Florida’s water from its underground source to the open sea, and to educate and advocate for the protection of Florida’s natural environment.

This dream inspired him to gather the financial backing and find a welcoming city for The Florida Aquarium.

Most recently, Crown and his wife Bette were honored along with the rest of the Crown family by the Salvation Army as recipients of the Dr. William Hale Commitment to Community Award, and the Crowns were named honorary chairs of the Community Dental Clinic.

Crown believed in working hard and playing hard.

He continued his lifelong passion for fishing, enjoyed membership in the Privateers, served as president of Casada, and was commodore at the Carlouel Yacht Club.

He recently took on the sport of golf and enjoyed playing in his back yard at the Belleair Country Club.

But his greatest joy was running "Cousins Camp" with his wife for their 15 grandchildren who called him "Big Daddy."

He also was dedicated to his church after attending a Cursillo retreat more than 30 years ago at the urging of his wife.

From that weekend on, he dedicated his time, energies, prayers and treasures to his church, participating in a prison fellowship, Isaiah’s Inn, Bible study and services at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension.

Crown is survived by his wife of 48 years; his sons, Will (Jennifer) and Brian (Shannon) Crown; daughters, Dawn Morrison (Dugald), Shannon Parker (Brad), Ali Martin (Stacy), and Lindsey Hardee (Bill); along with his grandchildren, Will and Josh Crown, Meggie, Katie, Josie and Ellie Morrison, Lucien, Jude and Anders Parker, Lilly and Anna Martin, Samantha and Chris Crown, and Mari and Baker Hardee.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Karen and DeLene Crown and their families.

A service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 701 Orange Ave., Clearwater, Friday, Jan 21 at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for a donation in Crown's name to the Church of the Ascension, Florida Wildlife Corridor Coalition, the Community Dental Clinic in Clearwater or the Clearwater-Upper Pinellas Salvation Army.

Click here to share a tribute or memory.

Moss Feaster Funeral Home at 693 S Belcher Road, Clearwater, is in charge of arrangements.