William Thomas Dean

William Thomas Dean, 81, beloved father and grandfather, passed away in his house in Plantation, Florida on January 31, 2023. He was born on December 28, 1941, in Bluefield, West Virginia, but has called South Florida home for the past seventy years. He attended Stranahan High and was part of its first graduating class. While there, he met Gladys Pisz (née Pfanner) who he married in 1961 and had two beautiful daughters with before their divorce in 1985. After graduating high school, he worked as a glazier for Dean’s Glass, his family’s owned and operated company that he co-managed with his siblings until it was sold. Then, he worked as a glazier for T&J Draperies, his wife Joan Dean’s company, until his retirement. A music enthusiast, he played the steel guitar in his high school band, The Mastertones, and eagerly anticipated watching The Voice on Monday and Tuesday nights. Other than music, some might say his favorite hobbies included sneaking bites of tiramisu or slipping table scraps to his fur-babies Muffin (deceased) and Biscuit (deceased) and his fur-grandchild Honey Bun. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joan Dean (née Duncan). They were happily married for almost thirty years until her passing in 2014. He is survived by a large, loving family: siblings Henry L. Dean III, Teresa Schwarz, and Stephen Dean; children Kathy Carden and Tracey Dean Widelitz; stepchild Thomas Avera Jr; grandchildren Brandon Glossup, Kristin Hampton, Jennifer Widelitz, and Sabrina Widelitz; and great-grandchildren Malayna Hampton, Jacob Hampton, and Mason Glossup; and many more. Following his wishes, he is to be cremated and there will be a private service held for family members only. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to your favorite charity.