William Joseph Koonce

William (Bill) J. Koonce, Jr. was 79 years young. He passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2020 in Rockledge Regional Medical Center, Brevard County, FL. Bill was born in Kinston, NC, and moved to Florida in 1976 after an eventful and adventurous young life.

Bill was in the US Navy active service for two years before enrolling in East Carolina University, where he met Maria, an exchange student from Uruguay. Their romantic encounter paralleled the story of Tony and Maria in the then Broadway hit, ‘West Side Story,’ except theirs had a happy ending. Bill and Maria married in Uruguay, and had their son, Michael, there. They moved back to the United States in 1965, and he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering. The family expanded with a daughter, Maria-Paula.

After a successful career in textiles and electronics, Bill joined his wife in the field of education, specifically the Adult program of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in Broward County, FL. He held two Masters Degrees: one in Business Administration and one in Teaching. They enjoyed a lively period in their professional life conducting trainings throughout the state and became known as ‘Batman and Robin.’

The surprising and destructive visits from Katrina and Wilma to South Florida in 2005 were very persuasive: retirement to a less congested and exposed area led him and Maria to Brevard County. They moved to Lost Lakes, where they found friendship and camaraderie. In their book ‘Retirement Rocks’ they describe this stage of their lives: the activities and trips that provided them with rich global exploration and fun, always supported and encouraged by their family and many friends.

His mother-in-law said of Bill: “Si no existieras habria que inventarte…” (If you did not exist, we would have had to invent you). Bill was a truly genuine person, literally incapable of pretense or telling a lie; he was loyal and faithful in all his relationships particularly to the love of his life, Maria; he was ‘Papi,’ not only to his two children but to the granddaughters, great-grands and generations of their cousins and pals; he had a quick and sharp sense of humor along with the warmth that comes from real, deep caring; he was the ultimate ‘people person’ (one very British friend once commented: “Bill Koonce can talk to the rocks!... And the rocks will talk right back to him!”) He was passionate about music, a graceful dancer (the ‘twist’ was his specialty); a talented ‘Elvis’ himself, relishing his many Karaoke sessions and his choral performances in the Lost Lakes community.

Bill is survived by his son, Michael, and wife, Jenny, in Oregon; by his daughter Maria Paula Corley, from the west coast of Florida, by Scott Corley; by his brother, Bruce Koonce, and sister, Marion Koonce Haines, and husband, Marvin, from Pennsylvania. His grandchildren are Amanda Turner, Candice Griego, Savannah Saxon, Madison Corley, Darby, and Brady Schrader, with their respective spouses or ‘beaus’. His great grandchildren are Alahna, Elijiah, Nyjiah, Liam, Noah, Olivia Grace, and Branch.

We will bid farewell to Bill at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL on Monday, July 27, 2020 beginning at 10:30 am. Please be courteous and wear a mask as per the family's request.

In lieu of flowers you may donate to National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS), Attn. Jan Taylor, 245 Tammy Drive, Mims, Florida 32754.