Bill was born on April 17, 1937, in Newark, New Jersey to Agnes and Charles Middleton. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School. Bill continued his education at Webster Junior High, Central High School in Newark, New Jersey, and then Kearny High School in Kearny, New Jersey, graduating with the class of 1954. Bill went on to attend Seton Hall University before beginning his professional career at The Mutual Benefit Life Company and Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
In 1960, Bill entered the United States Army, completing his basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After that, he was stationed at the United States Continental Army Command in Fort Monroe, Virginia for the remainder of his tour. After the Army, Bill returned to Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Then in August of 1965, Bill married his wife, Patricia. Their son Stephen was born in 1969.
Bill then worked for TWA, first in New York City, then in Rockleigh, New Jersey with the computer reservations system. In 1971, TWA transferred Bill and his family to the Kansas City area where they settled in Mission, and five years later moved to Overland Park, Kansas. Bill held various positions with the airline, PARS Service and Worldspan. He retired from Worldspan on May 1, 2001.
In retirement, Bill volunteered as a driver with Catch a Ride of Johnson County and was a substitute crossing guard with Shawnee Mission Public Schools for the City of Lenexa. Bill loved opera music, travelling and was thrilled to see his beloved Kansas City Chiefs win it all multiple times.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Middleton on December 17, 2025, and is survived by his son Stephen of Overland Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, Humane Society, Salvation Army may be made in Bill’s honor.
