At best, an uncle is a family member that adds to your life in ways your parents cannot.  Bill Deacon was one of those uncles.  During frequent family gatherings in my formative years, Bill taught me how to gamble and appreciate sports, two manly pleasures I enjoy today.
Of course Granma Velpha was our card playing matriarch, so almost without fail a friendly poker game broke out after family dinners.  As a young child I was eager to do what the adults were doing, but first had to learn the poker rules and understand the strategies.  While Granma was helpful, it was Uncle Bill who took me under his wing and let me watch him play both his cards and the other players.  When to check, when to raise, when to fold, when to bluff, how to lose gracefully.  I learned all of these life skills looking over Bill's shoulder and under his hole cards.
Eventually Bill recognized that allowing me to watch him play made him my easiest mark when I finally was allowed to sit in with my $5.  He did not seem to mind.
Uncle Bill also taught me how to play craps, a dice game that makes up for its lack of cerebral challenge with its group excitement.  At first the game seemed pretty simple and hardly worth the time, yet once he explained the betting strategies, it became far more interesting to a math-minded teenager.  I was disappointed that I was never able to share a great run at the craps table, something everyone should enjoy in their lives.
With farm tasks taking up most of the weekend days, the Pellissier's did not develop a love for watching sports.  Thank goodness Uncle Bill was there to nurture my interest in the Dodgers and the Lakers during their heydays.  It helped us develop a good relationship while waiting for the poker game to start.  His interest in watching games introduced me to the common language of American culture, preparing me for decades of male bonding in locker rooms, barbershops, sports bars and tee boxes across the country.
God Bless Bill Deacon, a man who made me a better person.

I will always remember having animated discussions with Bill about political topics of the day. Bill always had an in-depth knowledge and insight about almost any current topic. He loved to discuss world events and was an eager listener and participant. His natural good-natured personality made discussing almost anything a joy. He will be missed.

Bill and Marianne have always been so kind and thoughtful to me my entire life. Going back through some of the pictures included in this service, I was delighted to find images of myself as a toddler posing with Bill and the rest of the family, enjoying holidays and speeding time together. I will sincerely miss his spirit.

My favorite memories of Bill are the times I enjoyed listening to him tell stories. He was a very enthusiastic storyteller with a sparkle in his eye and laughter during the story. He was very quick and thoughtful, setting the scene and engaging the listener.

Memories of Bill...

I was around ten which would have made Bill thirteen when we made a business deal that benefited both of us.  His bedroom opened onto our dining room so he was supposed to make his bed every morning.  For Bill making his bed was just too much work or bother, so after several unpleasant discussions took place between Bill and my mother, I got the great idea to have Bill pay me for making his bed every morning.  We arrived at  the princely sum of five cents per day as being fair compensation for this task.  It was a win, win.  Bill didn't have to make his bed and I got paid almost $1.50 per month which made me happy.


You were always there for me Bill and I am missing you.
Linda

OBITUARY

Bill Deacon

July 15, 1935 – May 14, 2015

Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home

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