William Joseph Lacey

~ Daddy, I just can’t believe that we are never going to laugh together, talk to each other, hug one another or sit and watch Tv together ever again. I’m so heartbroken and I hurt so badly inside. The best man in my life is gone forever and I just don’t understand why, it’s just not fair to you. 

You were always there for me whenever I needed you. It didn’t matter what I needed help with, big or small you would always come to my rescue.

Just know future generations will know who you were. Although nothing I say will come close to how truly incredible you really were, I will do my best to let them know. They will hear stories about how incredibly sarcastic, witty, intelligent, kind and strong you were, but most of all they will know how much you love my mother. The way you showed your love and appreciation to mommy was so special and taught me what to look for in partner. You taught me so much about how to love, respect and protect not only your friends and family, but also everyone else in the world, no matter their background. 

Thank you for being my best friend, best teacher, best support system and just overall the best man I ever knew. I am forever grateful for everything you have done for me, and I am so proud to be YOUR daughter. I love you forever and I hope I’ll get to see you again.  XOXO – Aisling Raven

~ This was not supposed to happen, William. You were healthy. Your run was just supposed to be a run in the park before dinner, not the last time we would see you alive! We were moving forward with our dreams. Our countdown to our new life was beginning. I want to scream!

Together we raised a wonderful daughter and you were beyond the coolest dad ever. The relationship you had with Aisling was incredibly special and she cherished you. You will be forever in her heart.

I want you to come home to us, William. I want to look into your beautiful hazel eyes, feel your warm embraces and soft kisses again. We were going to grow old together, damit. This was truly an unfair ending to your wonderful life, and it breaks my heart. You were a great man and a wonderful husband, William. The best friend anyone could ever wish for and you will be in my heart forever.

One day, we will be reunited again, and we will spend eternity in each other’s arms.

Love you always, Cari

~ My heart is broken once again William. You went away so suddenly and we did not say goodbye but I smile to myself among the tears as I cherish your memory, memories of growing up together as kids and teenagers…We had fun times, sad times and many arguments growing up as you do, but all are precious memories that will never be forgotten. You know how you loved to gaze at the stars at night when you came back to Ireland, often sitting out in the dark for hours, well now you are one of those stars shining bright. You are in a great place now sharing a brandy no doubt with Mam, Dad and Peggy. Their gain and our loss. Sleep tight little brother, love you to the stars and back.

Nothing loved is ever lost and William you were loved so much. Your memory will live on in your beautiful daughter, Aisling…. Your broken-hearted sister Julie XX (sister)

~ Always smiling the biggest brightest smile and always being silly but William always made sure he had a serous word with you always making sure everything was OK…he gave the biggest and the best hugs in the world, you’d need to brace yourself when you were getting a hug they were the best!!! I remember being convinced after visiting him in Cayman Islands when I was younger that himself and Cari were pirates… Not everyone gets to say their uncle is a pirate. I used to love the day trips I got the chances to go on with himself Cari and Aisling when they came home to Ireland in the summers when we were all at Nanny’s house. ~ Zana (niece)

~I was devastated when I heard the news and so sad that I had not seen Uncle William in ages. It still doesn’t feel real and I miss him a lot. It is not fair that he is gone. I love you Uncle William xoxo ~ Rose (niece)

~ I remember the day we went to hook head and messing round teaching me about all the sea creatures telling me stories about them. Every time I heard William is coming over we’d be so excited to know you were coming over and we’d have so much fun. The days we would go to the beach when we went over to nannies house and just mess around I’ll miss those. It’s sad to see you go and scary that that was the last goodbye I will miss you so so much,  ~ Chloe (niece)~ I always looked forward to you guys coming to visit, I never got to see him that often but when we did he would make us all laugh until our faces hurt. He always tried to look after us no matter what was happening. I always got into him to that he had to buy me a ticket to Florida for my 21st to go see him and I always threatened to turn up at your doorstep and you would have no choice but to let me stay! Of coarse his response was that he couldn’t wait for that day ... 

His smile lite up every room he was in and I’ll never forget it. ~ Michelle (niece)

~ William had the biggest most infectious smile and looked out for everyone.

My mam (Jacinta) picked William as my godfather back 28years ago because she knew William was someone she could count on to carry out this job. 

Although you guys lived away, he always looked after me on his return home to Ireland. He always supported me and was one of Sophia’s biggest fans when he came to visit. Sophia remembers that pink hobby horse William brought her and carried around Dublin with him in his backpack for her not so long ago!!

We had many plans for one day when we would finally save and get to come visit in Florida. Myself and John always joked how we would ‘surprise’ you guys and be the 1st of us who finally got to go over but sadly that’s now too late. John was always fascinated by Williams stories about all his work on the boats and hoped one day he would get to visit and see some of his jobs. 

William was always someone I was proud to talk about and in many a conversation with people I would make sure to say or add in “Well I have an uncle in Florida ......” 

I always remember William looking out for nanny and always putting her 1st on all his visits home. Breakfast in bed, the smile on her face when William would walk in like he always lived here and of course his large brandy for her. He always showed respect for nanny and idolised my mam (his sister). If he ever had any little problem he would confide in her. It’s not the ending any of us expected for William and far to soon for a man whom I’m sure still had so many dreams to carry out but we should take some content in knowing he is probably having the biggest party up there with nanny, grandad and Peggy right now. 

“We had a wonderful uncle, one who never grew old. His smile was made of sunshine and his heart of solid gold” Sleep tight and fly high. ~ Ciara (niece), Johnny, and Sophia (grandniece)

~ Am devastated to have found out that we have lost my wonderful uncle William so suddenly, an amazing man with a huge heart - Lisa (niece)

~ It was Pirate's week, October '94 on Grand Cayman Island that I first met William.  A nice young man, very approachable.   Seemed as though Cari & William belonged with each other.  I hoped it would grow into a solid, lasting relationship; and it did.  I was anxious to return home and tell Shawn about William.  A comfortable feeling I had.  I knew Shawn would adore him, and she has throughout the years.  The following year William & Cari announced their engagement at Benjamin's Roof, a favorite restaurant in Grand Cayman.  Married in Cincinnati, OH in January '96.  Aisling arrived in March '97, and a very strong bond was developed within the newly formed Lacey family.Through the years William proved his mental and physical strengths in work and recreation; a fine mind and a devoted husband, father and a longtime friend and employee.  Reliable, capable, courageous and loving.He was and always will be in our hearts and thoughts. ~ Bob and Shawn (father and mother in-law)

~One of the brightest sparks to walk this earth has moved on way too soon. Thinking of my old friend William Lacey and our crazy Cayman Islands days. The best of times - we worked, drank, fought, loved, took the piss, captained boats, taught diving, dove way deeper than is deemed humanly possible on air, and lived to tell the tale. Will actually saved my life on one of those dives - I was narced out of my head and sinking to the abyss! We surfed storm surf alone, and over razor sharp reefs that cut him to the bone, and together survived a night-time tsunami that washed through our dive boat. I later left Cayman, but he called me back for the best diving job ever at Surfside. Him and his mates started my love of the Irish and his homeland. He honoured me, making me godfather to his beautiful daughter Aisling, and my heart breaks for her and Cari, but the crack in my heart just lets more of his shining light in. Thank you for brightening my life Willie. Aloha ‘Oe, William Lacey, mo chara. ~ Jim (friend)

~ When I think of Cayman, I think of Willie. He was a huge part of my life there. We lived in the beach house in South Sound, (along with Jim and Allen and had many crazy days there) and in Windjammer. When I think of him I remember his incredible smile, he’d light up a room when he walked in and his great sense of fun. His smile was infectious. He was a kind and supportive person who gave the most incredible hugs. He loved to laugh and was always good humoured.Willie got me in to running, and showed me a little 5 mile loop out the south sound road to a jetty where he’d do some sit ups and then we’d run back home. I’ve so many fond memories of him.Willie introduced me to Radiohead, in 1993 Pablo Honey was one of his favorites and he’d sing creep at the top of his lungs. We liked to listen to Pink Floyd, and I remember us sitting in Patrick’s Suzuki singing ‘wish you were here’, he loved that song.Willie taught me how to parallel park, in the old Datsun Bluebird with the happy faces all over it, across the road from the Cayman Arms. He was so patient. I was nervous of going out of my depth in water and didn’t feel comfortable stepping off the back of a boat into deep water, so Willie took me diving off the beach where I could walk out and then dive. He had even started to teach Niall and me an open water dive course. He was one of a kind, always up for a laugh, and always there for me.The world is a little less bright without William, but his is a light that will never go out. I hope that all the great memories that you both have with him bring you some comfort and solace at this time, much love Jen xx (friend)

~ I cannot recall where it was it was a pool and Will put that oxygen bottle on me and the mask and showed me what to do. I will never forget the experience to breath under water. A once in a lifetime experience for me. Only recently I told Melissa about it. The other memory I have. When we went to the "Barefood path" in Bad Iburg and Melissa grabbed his hand. As if William had known her he took care of her. Children know who they can trust. There were no words between them, simply feelings, love and understanding. ~ Petra (friend)

~ One day a new guy came in introduced himself as Richard.  Willie with his beautiful Irish accent said “no, that won’t do.  We already have a Richard working here.”  So the guy says “well you can call me Rick then”.   Willie said “No, that won’t do either, we have a Rick here too.  We’ll call you Sue!”  He said “Well, I prefer Rick or Richard” and Willie said “Nope, Sue it is!”  From that day on, everyone called him Sue.  I believe he even started calling himself Sue while using the VHF radio.  Everyone from other dive shops and restaurants would call him Sue as well.  Willie made him famous.   It’ was so funny.  He had a great sense of humor. ~ Tom (friend)

William is survived by his daughter, Aisling Raven, wife Cari Ann, sisters Julie and Jacinta, brother Noel, 12 nieces and nephews, 6 great nieces and nephews, and numerous special friends.

William is preceded in death by his father William, mother Julia (Sheila) and sister Peggy.

Services will be held this fall, in Ballygarrett, Ireland.