William Stephen Bye

William Stephen Bye, 93 of Melbourne, FL passed away in on December 15, 2020. Bill was born in Lockport, New York on February 20, 1927 to Gertrude (Pelhem) and Bruce Bye. Bill graduated from Lockport High School in 1945 and then worked 40 years until his 1989 retirement as a millwright at the Robin Hood Flour Mill (International Multifoods).

Bill was ingenious and creative and loved making and fixing things for anyone in need. In 1951 he built his first home in Wrights Corners, NY, and was a volunteer fireman there for 15 years and was active with his boys in Troop 40 Boy Scouts. He built a wooden boat with his twin brothers Wally and Bob, and his children recall many joyful hours ‘being dragged’ behind the motorboat learning to waterski sometimes before they could swim! He also built numerous home additions and handled many emergency repairs for his family, friends and neighborhood. He enjoyed many family picnic and camping trips in NY and Canada and assisted helping on his father and brother Wally’s hundred-acre farm known as the “Bye’s Strawberry Ranch”. In 1967 he moved to and remodeled a lovely home on a beautiful cul-de-sac in Newfane, NY and the home and basement there were popular gathering places for relatives and his growing children, who he was always proud of.

After retirement he moved to Melbourne, FL and started up a small home repair business in 1990. Bill became an active member of the South Brevard Senior Association and was their president from 1992-1994. There and at several other senior centers throughout Brevard, he was a popular bingo caller. He loved music - organizing the weekly dances and coordinating the retired Big Band music players for the Port O’ Call and Trailer Haven communities until 2008.

Tropical Haven was the perfect community for him, and he was an icon - seldom missing the rogues gathering at the Tropical Haven morning cafe, or the Ice Cream Socials. He really loved playing cards - a Bye family passion – and was a ‘legendary master’ at euchre, cribbage, pinochle, and enjoyed many other games with friends whenever opportunities arose: gotcha, rummy, Mexican train, hearts, spades, canasta and bridge. He was the family rock, was usually kind although known to bark, very hard working and willing to share his knowledge, easy going, had few complaints, was curious and fun to talk to - a naturally happy man with instinctive and contagious humor and word play.

Bill is survived by his wife Helen (Urtel) Bye, his children – daughter Linda Rogers (John), sons - Roger Bye (Nancy), Daniel Bye (Lisa) and Tim Bye (Sherri) and many nieces and nephews. His grandchildren include Stephanie Wares (Jimmy), Scott Bye (fiancé Emily); Emily Rae Cantafio (Tony), Justin Bye, Taylor Bye, Logan Bye and Jessica Bye. His great grandchildren include Skyler Wares, Eliot Wares and Sage Davis.

He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Hilton, twin brothers Walter Bye and Robert and sister Jane Boyer.

Memorial services will be held at an undetermined time next year in his hometown of Lockport NY post COVID-19.

Memorial donations may be made in William Bye’s name to:

Tropical Haven HOA Attn. Kate Masi, 1205 Eddie Allen Road, Melbourne, FL 32901, or

Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Foundation, 1350 S. Hickory St, Melbourne FL 32901