William John “Bill” Wilkie passed away surrounded by family on Friday, January 18, in Stamford, CT, after a long illness. Bill was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1936, raised in Queens and lived in Staten Island from his high school years through his mid 30’s. He moved to Stamford, CT, in 1974 where he remained for the duration of his life.
Bill attended New York University on a track and academic scholarship where he held and defended the record speed for the quarter mile sprint in New York State and gold medaled in the Millrose Games. Shortly afterward he earned an MBA at New York University while working at Bankers Trust Company in Manhattan, from which he would retire as a Managing Director after 44 years. He also served in the United States Army beginning in 1958 and attended the executive MBA program at Columbia University in 1979.
Bill was active in significant ways with several New York based charities including Catholic Charities, The Pius XII Society and was a lifelong contributor to New York Red Cross. He taught classes for decades at the American Banking Institute and also served as Chairman of the Trust and Investment Division of the New York Bankers Association.
An exceptionally devoted father, he took great interest in his sons’ lives and forged strong relationships with all of their wives and many close friends. He enjoyed exploring new cities that his children chose to reside in including Boston, Chicago, San Francisco. Travelling frequently for business to favorite domestic destinations, he devoted his healthy retirement years to European travel.
He is survived by Anne (Lucey) Wilkie, his wife of over 60 years, and his sons Bill (Susan, Michele) of Oakland CA, Chris of Stamford, Marc (Lisa) of Manhattan NY, and Neil (Deanna) of Chicago, IL. A fifth son, Steve (Susan) of San Francisco, passed away in 2000.
A wake will be held at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home located at 2900 Summer Street on Thursday, 1/24, 6:00-9:00 pm and on Friday, 1/25, 4:00-6:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00am on Saturday, 1/26 at St. Leo Parish at 24 Roxbury Road in Stamford, CT. Following the funeral mass the burial will take place at St. Mary Cemetery located at 399 North Street, Greenwich, CT.
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