William A. Bedell Jr.

William A. Bedell, Jr., Port St. John, Florida peacefully passed away Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Wuesthoff Hospice House. Born March 29, 1932 Bill was raised in Dundalk, Maryland and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1956 he moved to Florida with the Martin Company and began working in the Vanguard and Pershing programs as an ordnance engineer at Cape Canaveral. His career as an ordnance/safety engineer at Kennedy Space Center continued through the Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs until his retirement in 1995. His knowledge and experience earned many commendations and awards for his service in the space program. He enjoyed his retirement years working on many projects in his home and yard, seeing his grandchildren and mingling with friends at his favorite hang-outs, Daddy-O’s and Corky Bell’s. He is survived by his daughters, Susan (David) Stanley, Keystone Heights, FL, Linda Bedell, Cocoa, FL, son Richard Bedell, Atlanta, GA, sister Jean (John) Newton, Parkersburg, WV, brother John Bedell, Dundalk, MD and grandchildren, Evan, Katie, Timothy, Deborah and Kimberley Stanley. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Wylie Baxley Merritt Island Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wuesthoff Hospice House, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, FL 32940.