William James Ivan

William James Ivan passed away on July 4, 2026 at the age of 90; Born to Rudolph and Anastatia Ivan on May 2, 1936 in Johnson City New York, William (or Bill) was a long-time resident of Merritt Island, Florida.

Bill attended UE High School and St Bonaventure University and Broome Tech college in New York. He was a long-time IBM employee

Bill was both an avid golfer and fan of the game. He volunteered to “work” major golf tournaments as often as he could. He especially enjoyed the BC Open hosted at the IBM Country Club.

While growing up Bill and his brother Bernie hunted and fished the area around his grandparents’ farm. It is said that while camping, his sleeping bag consisted of a net strung between 2 trees.

His lifetime love of football started as a player in high school. He was an avid fan of the Dolphins and always cheered for his New York teams too. Every weekend there was a team he could root for.

His greatest passion may have been singing. He was a choirboy at St Joseph’s Church in Endicott, New York and was a member of the choir in virtually every church he was a member of. Notably, he was a member of the South Florida Chorale. The love of singing stayed with him until Parkinson’s took his ability to speak.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Anastatia Ivan, his wife Bonnie (Holder) Ivan and his brother Bernie Ivan.

He is survived by his four children Mark (Beth) Ivan, Cathy (Curtis) Sheldon, Karen (Kevin) Norris, Colleen (Mike) Rickards; his five grandchildren, granddaughter Bethany Grace Ivan, grandsons Jacob and Zachary Sheldon, Logen and Garrett Norris; his two sisters, Theresa Shelton and Elise Hibdon; his sister-in-law Louisa Ivan; as well as several cousins and nieces and nephews.

Interment will be at Freehold Cemetery, in Freehold, New York on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM.