William L. Palmer Jr.

Bill was born in New York City on December 9, 1934, and grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens, where he attended PS 69. He later attended the McBurney School in Manhattan before earning his bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University in 1956, majoring in Economics and Journalism. During his time at Bucknell, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.

It was at Bucknell that Bill met Della M. Critelli, his lifelong partner. They married in early 1957 and shared nearly 60 years together until her passing in 2014. Bill served honorably in the United States Army, stationed at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Greely in central Alaska during the height of the Cold War, retiring with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Leaving New York and Pennsylvania for Alaska was the first of Bill & Della’s many adventures. After his service, they settled in California to raise their family. Their love of sailing brought them to Newport Beach where they lived for over 40 years and spent much of their life on the water. Bill’s passion for the sea began in Maine, where, as a young lad, his father taught him to sail on the family boat, the Billy Boy. That early love of sailing blossomed into a lifelong pursuit.

Over the years, Bill raced sailboats in local, national, and international competitions. His well-traveled 40’ sloop, Shenandoah, competed across the Pacific, Caribbean, and Northern Atlantic, and in 1983, took part in the prestigious Admiral’s Cup Regatta off the Isle of Wight in England. He also worked tirelessly to promote sailing events. In recognition, the Newport Harbor Yacht Club named the annual Palmer Cup team race in his honor. Later in life, his beloved 36’ work boat, Puffin, was the setting for many family gatherings from Maine to Martha’s Vineyard and beyond.

After a successful career in business and on the sea, he retired to enjoy life at its fullest. If he wasn’t traveling, he could be found in his boathouse woodshop building furniture or laying down a lick of varnish with a brush. Bill was an avid reader, particularly of American and maritime history. He was rarely seen without a book, often re-reading his favorite Patrick O’Brian novels.

Bill is survived by his children Betsy Palmer Post, William L. (Tad) Palmer III, and Muir Palmer, grandchildren James M. Post, Lydia M. Post, Adele V. Palmer and William L. Palmer IV, son-in-law James (Jim) Post, daughter-in-law Shannon V. Palmer, brother-in-law Frank L. (Pete) Critelli and devoted golden retriever Allie. In addition to Della, he was preceded in death by his parents William L. Palmer and Natalie Minatelli Palmer and his cousin Theresa Minatelli.

The family wishes to thank Mary Bowers and Dolma Tamang, devoted friends and caregivers to Bill, for many years. We are grateful for their dedicated and unwavering support.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen (https://www.shorelinesoupkitchens.org/) and the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue (https://ygrr.org/).