William Edward Fihlman, age 78, of Slidell, LA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 10th, 2024, surrounded by family, including his wife of 54 years, Claudia.

Bill was born on August 2nd, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to Lloyd and Frances Fihlman.  He was a graduate of Brockton High School and served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. While stationed at NAS Cecil Field, Bill met Claudia Jablonowski and they were married in Jacksonville, Florida on August 16, 1969.  Following Bill's tour in the Navy, Bill and Claudia moved to Massachusetts where Bill worked for the 102nd Fighter Wing at Otis Air Force Base as a member of the Massachusetts National Guard for 35 years.  After his time as an aircraft electrician, Bill worked for the Defense Logistics Agency until the age of 55. He then started his 3rd and favorite career as a police officer in his hometown of Wareham, Massachusetts.  Bill worked for the Wareham Police Department for 10 years as patrolman, member of the Honor Guard, public information officer, and crime-scene photographer. He then served an additional 3 years as the department's Accreditation Officer. In 2013, Bill and Claudia retired to Slidell, Louisiana. Shortly thereafter, Bill "unretired" in Slidell, working for two years as an investigator for the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney's Office.

Bill, or affectionately known as "Billy" or "Phil" by close friends and family members, lived a full, happy life.  He was often laughing and ready to tell or listen to a story. He loved everything about his wife Claudia, who never left his side. Bill loved to brag about his children and their families. Bill had a passion for music, always entertaining with his many guitars or playing the piano.  He loved being on the water, boating and fishing in the waters of Buzzard's Bay, Cape Cod, and Lake Pontchartrain. Bill was also an avid photographer, never far from a camera.  He was an aviation enthusiast, handyman, jack-of-all-trades, loved his Corvette and Harley Davidson, and had a deep admiration for law enforcement and the military.

Bill is survived by his wife Claudia; son Matthew and daughter-in-law Ellen (Romig), grandchildren Ben, Ellie, and Mimi of Cypress, Texas; his son Erik and daughter-in-law Anne (Cooney), grandchildren Elizabeth, Avaline, and Gabriel, and great-granddaughter Noemi of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; his sister Nancy Nisby and brother-in-law Paul of Bridgewater, Massachusetts; his brother Gerald Fihlman and sister-in-law Karen of Wareham, Massachusetts; his brother-in-law Wayne Jablonowski and sister-in-law Beth (Conyers) of Slidell, Louisiana; sister-in-law Janet Thomsen of Mandeville, Louisiana; sister-in-law Judith Neely of Kenner, Louisiana; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Frances Fihlman, and brother-in-law Wayne Thomsen.

Bill will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, Louisiana.  In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Gary Sinise Foundation, honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.