CLEARWATER, Fla. — An American hero who served in the Navy during World War II died this past weekend at 108 years old.

Chief Petty Officer William “Bill” Monfort turned 108 this past December, 83 years after being stationed in Pearl Harbor around the time the Japanese attacked the naval stronghold.

He was Florida’s oldest World War II veteran when he celebrated his birthday in 2024 and spent the last few years at The Landmark assisted living facility in Clearwater.

Even though his family has started packing some of his belongings, some pictures and memories are still scattered throughout his room.

When you speak with the staff who helped care for Monfort, they say the war hero was “a wonderful man who was still active.”

“Every morning, he came in here at 8 in the morning and bought me a cup of coffee. And he would hang out with me every day,” said Lisa Weaver, head of physical therapy at The Landmark. “He was just a special guy. I think he’s going to be missed.”

Aside from the memorabilia still in his room at The Landmark, staff put a picture of Monfort in the lobby, letting everyone know the American treasure that is now laid to rest.