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On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, Dr. William (Bill) Fleming, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 88. Bill, a Leap Year baby, would often joke that he only counted his birthdays every four years, making him just 22 at the time of his passing. His life was dedicated to education and the proliferation of math and sciences in educational settings, particularly in spaces that gave minorities an avenue to success in these fields of study.

Born the second of three children to Amos and Jessie Mae Fleming in Walls, Mississippi, William's life was profoundly affected by the untimely death of his mother during his elementary school years. This tragedy shaped his life in many ways.

After graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, he attended Alabama State University for a time before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. William served with distinction, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal before his honorable discharge in 1960. He then continued his undergraduate studies at Tennessee A & I University (now Tennessee State University), earning a Bachelor's Degree in chemistry. He also earned a Master's Degree from Fisk University and a Doctorate in Education from Temple University in Pennsylvania.

Bill loved being an educator and mentor, rarely turning down opportunities to advance youth and young adults, in and out of the classroom. He began his career as a high school teacher in Blytheville, Arkansas, where he met and married the woman of his dreams, Dorothy Yvonne. With newborn son in tow, their journey took them to various locations, including Nashville, Tennessee; Hampton, Virginia and Wilmington, Delaware, as Bill pursued his graduate studies. In Delaware, he briefly worked as a polymer chemist for Dupont before returning to teaching and educational administration. It was during this time that Bill and Yvonne "set roots" in the Wilmington, Delaware area which lasted for 47 years.

Throughout his career, Bill transitioned between teaching and administrative roles in public schools around Wilmington, Delaware. He taught chemistry, physics, algebra, and other mathematics courses, always maintaining a deep commitment to mentoring his students. His career aspirations eventually led him to become the Supervisor of Secondary Education/Assistant to the Superintendent of the Red Clay Consolidated School District, where he was the first to introduce in-school technology labs and programs within the State of Delaware.

One of Bill's proudest achievements was leading the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) as operations director. FAME was one of the first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) programs for minority students, 7th to 12th grade, serving as a model for similar programs nationwide. Bill's influence on his students extended beyond academics; he instilled life lessons on discipline, preparedness, and perseverance.

Bill's commitment to youth extended beyond the classroom. He taught golf to inner-city children through the City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation System, tutored night school students pursuing their GEDs, served as a FAME instructor (prior to program administration) and mentored young entrepreneurs through Junior Achievement. He also provided highly sought after tutorial classes for aspiring educators preparing for the State of Delaware Teacher's Certification Examination.

Bill was a dedicated life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated from the moment of his initiation into the noble clan at Alabama State University (Beta Zeta Chapter) in 1956. Since that time, he loved Kappa Alpha Psi and served the fraternity and its programs in many capacities from numerous committee chairs to polemarch of the Wilmington (DE) Alumni Chapter. One of his proudest moments was his opportunity to "pin" his son and welcome him into Kappa Alpha Psi.

Bill Fleming received multiple awards and recognition from organizations for his dedication to building stronger school systems, advancing technology curriculums for minorities, creating stronger communities, and supporting his church community. He received awards and recognition for service, leadership and commitment from the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated (including a 50-year Bowl recipient), Howard University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Junior Achievement, to name a few organizations.

Outside of his love of God and his family, Bill loved playing GOLF! He loved the sport and enjoyed watching it in-person and on television, almost as much as playing on the course. If there was ever a question of "Where's Bill?", the answer generally would be…" on the golf course"!

Bill and his loving wife, Yvonne Fleming, joined Limestone Presbyterian Church (Wilmington, Delaware) in 1972 and remained members for 43 years until 2015, when they moved to Memphis. He and Yvonne served first as deacons and later as elders at the church. They both taught their son to love God, remain constant in his devotion, and to stay engaged and active in church life.

In his later years, Bill dedicated himself to caring for Yvonne as she battled Lewy-Body Dementia. His priority was attending to her well-being, and in so doing, he demonstrated unwavering commitment and love.

We give special thanks and love to Pamela Nelson for her service as caregiver to both William Fleming and Yvonne Fleming, as she faithfully attended to their respective needs as their health declined. We also extend gratitude to each of the Nelsons . . .  Eunice Nelson (Mother), Barbara and LaTonya who assisted and attended to William's needs even at the craziest of times. Immense appreciation and love are expressed to "our nurse", Sharay Thomas, for always being willing to take a call and a request for directions and medical decision-making. We give special thanks to Dr. Ralph Taylor (Bill Fleming's PCP), and the physicians and nurses within the ICU and emergency staff at Methodist – Germantown Hospital. A very special thank you is extended to nurse and CNA, LaToya and Alexia, respectively, who served as Bill Fleming's final nurses and demonstrated exemplary bedside manners and care in providing him comfort in his final hours. Finally, expressions of appreciation are given to Terri and Toni (Pam's granddaughters) who assisted in multiple ways; to Jean Harvey, James Williams III, William and Minnie Bazzelle, and Dr. Reginald Green (and family), who consistently checked on Bill; and to Mississippi State Representative Hester McCray for the influential "pep talks" to Bill at key moments.

Bill is preceded in death by his loving partner of 58 years, Dorothy Yvonne; his parents, Jessie Mae Fleming, Amos Fleming, and Mary Fleming (stepmother); sisters, Eddis Mae Fleming and Maryland Fleming; brothers, Charles Fleming, Vernon Fleming, and Amos (Billy) Fleming.

He is survived by his son, Sean; three grandchildren: Joel Alexander, Sydney Kalei, Madison Simone; an adored former daughter-in-law, Monta; one brother, Michael Fleming (Debra) of Fishers, Indiana; two sisters, Anita Boone Martin of Memphis, Tennessee and Regina (Vette) Dobbins of Memphis, Tennessee; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a host of many fraternity brothers, friends and extended family.

As an alternate recognition of sympathy, the family would like to suggest well-wishers consider making a donation "In memory of Dr. William Fleming", to the Forum to Advance Minorities in Engineering (FAME) in Wilmington, Delaware (FAME, Inc., 2005 Baynard Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19802). The website for donations can be found at (https://www.famedelaware.org). FAME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at E.H. Ford Funeral Home, at 3390 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (to be preceded by a viewing from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.) Service will be live streamed. For further information or to share condolences please visit

https://www.ehfordmortuary.com/obituary/william-fleming