William, known to most as “Bill,” was a true Renaissance man who reinvented himself many times over, working in a number of careers that had one goal in common: nobly serving others.
A graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, Bill initially worked as a licensed practical nurse at Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, after graduating from Central School of Nursing. Later, he served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968 as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He continued Marine service in the Reserves from 1968 to 1972. Bill later attended Long Island University in New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976.
For most of his working years, Bill was a transit police officer in New York City, a job he served proudly for two decades. After retirement from that position, Bill worked in a variety of fields, including serving as a memorial counselor at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY; owner of a sneaker store in New Jersey; a sales position at Nobody Beats the Wiz; a trained chef; and as the owner of Jamaican meat patty stand in Florida. In 2003, he became a licensed mortgage broker.
Bill was known for his gift of gab, and his ability to engage others in witty conversation. He will be missed by many.
An only child, Bill is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Caraway Tomlinson, a son-in-law, Amra Tomlinson, and grandchildren, Alexander and Ava Tomlinson. He is also survived by an aunt, Mildred Johnson, an uncle, Arthur Taylor, and many cousins, including Richard and Phyllis (Booker) McClendon, who lovingly oversaw his care in his final days.
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