He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Marcella Abel. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Pat, of 36 years; brothers: Donald (Maureen), Allen (Janis); sister-in-law Suzanne (Wray); brother-in-law Michael (Karen); nieces: Carolyn (Michael), Jennifer (Greg), Erin (Scott); Elizabeth,(Matthew) nephews: Michael (Tiffany), Paul (Linda), Thomas (Judy), Tim (Kristen) Donald (Zoe); great nieces: Elizabeth (Nate), Kathleen, Addison, Larkin, Rosie, Avery, Harper, Eva; great nephews: Matthew, John, Walter.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Bill became a Marianist Brother after graduating from The University of Dayton. He taught math at the Marianist high schools in: Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton Catholic High School), and Mineola, New York (Chaminade High School). Later he became principal at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Baltimore, Maryland. Bill then proceeded to become the Assistant Provincial of the Baltimore Province of the Marianist where he was the Director of Finance and Education. One of his greatest accomplishments during this time was starting the Christian Family Living Program in Cape May, NJ and then helped to bring the program to Emerald Isle, NC and Topsail Beach, NC.
After moving to Raleigh in 1981, Bill worked for the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh as Director of Finance for the North Carolina Catholic Newspaper. In addition, he worked as the Principal of Immaculata Elementary School in Durham, NC, and was the Parish Administrator of St. Raphael Catholic Church. For the past twelve years, he worked in an honorable ministry that he loved by serving on the support staff of Brown-Wynne, Mitchell, and Apex Funeral Homes. Bill finished his career serving others just as he started.
Bill had a love for golf, traveling and reading. Bill volunteered in Catholic Parish Outreach, Open Door Clinic, as a driver for Road to Recovery and Transitions of Wake County. His greatest joy though came from spending time with his family and friends.
His family would like to thank everyone for their care and loving support for Bill during his eight month struggle with pancreatic cancer. They would like to thank the staff at Rex of Wakefield Oncology and especially Dr. Robert Wehbie and Carissa.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church on Friday, October 26, 2018 at 3:30 pm. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm. A private inurnment will be held the morning of Saturday, October 27, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the: Deacon Madey Parishioner’s Relief Fund at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Raleigh NC, Transitions LifeCare of Wake County, or a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.
