William Carl Nappi

William Carl Nappi, 96, passed peacefully on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. William was born December 17, 1928 in Corona, New York. Having lost his mother when he was 8, William’s father, Aniello, an Italian immigrant and trumpet player with the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, raised him and his 2 siblings, Bob and Marie. As a child, he earned the nickname “Phantom of the Court” for his skills on the handball court at school. These skills later led to his love for tennis. William attended St. John’s University in Queens, NY and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1949. William served in the U.S Army during the Korean War and then returned to his education attending Columbia University. He graduated from Columbia with a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1956. William began his career with Burlington Industries in Manhattan. He married Florence Eleanor Trzcinski in May of 1957, and they started their family in Melville, NY. In 1979, William moved their family to Oak Ridge, North Carolina when he requested a transfer with Burlington to their Corporate Headquarters in Greensboro. After 30 years with Burlington, William took an early retirement and began the next chapter of his life. His love for learning continued and he earned his CPA degree and degree in Nursing Home Administration. William then became the Controller for Maryfield Nursing Home in High Point, North Carolina. Retiring from his “second career” at Maryfield, William then pursued another love...culinary arts. He attended Greensboro Technical Community College and at the age of 74 received, with honors, a Degree in Culinary Arts. William kept himself busy, as he liked it, making desserts at Pizzeria Uno and then as the maître d’ of Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant in Greensboro. William also found time to study for and become a Master Gardener.

In 2021, William and Florence relocated to Yorktown, Virginia to be closer to their daughter, Diana, and her husband, Fuller. After Florence’s passing in October 2022, William kept busy by attending the Dining Club at the York County Senior Center and Wednesday morning coffee with his friends at his neighborhood’s clubhouse. William continued his vibrant and active life up until his passing- finding him once or twice a day riding his 3-wheel bike around the loop in his neighborhood. His love for learning also continued up until his passing with his enjoyment in taking online college music history and economics classes.

William loved being outdoors, whether it was bringing to life his horticultural envisionment on his 5 acres in Oak Ridge, raising in pots then planting in the ground thousands of azalea and rhododendron rooted cuttings, or just laying on his chaise lounge in the sun. Cooking was also a passion. Up until several years ago, he was a master in baking sourdough bread and he (and Florence) will forever be remembered by family and friends for their Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes.

With his passing, he joins in Heaven his wife, Florence (Oct ’22), and son, Christopher (March ’19) and all the beloved dogs he has had. William is survived by his daughter, Diana Nappi Robertson (C. Fuller Robertson), his extended family, and numerous loving friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Peninsula Agency on Aging in Newport News, Virginia or the York County Senior Center, Yorktown, Virginia.