William Francis Corkery

William F. Corkery, Bill, died while resting quietly in a Tallahassee, FL, hospice with family by his side.

He was born in Providence, RI. Bill was a passionate man, a devout Catholic who loved to sing in the choir and his barbershop quartet. He worked hard to support his family and had a legendary sense of humor. Bill was instrumental in changing immigration laws to allow GIs to bring their Japanese fiancees and wives to the United States after World War II. After retiring from federal government service, he and Lee lived in Palm Coast, FL, for almost 30 years. He left the world a better place with his generosity, wit and compassion. His golf game - well that’s a different story.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years Riyo Sato (Lee) Corkery; and their seven children, Eleanor Martyn (Frank) of Hastings, FL, Veronica Elwell of Cedar Hill, TX, William Corkery, Jr. (Michele) of El Cajon, CA, Daniel Corkery of Seattle, WA, Timothy Corkery of Bowling Green, KY, Terrence Corkery (Jannette) of Tallahassee, FL and John Corkery (Linda), of Silver Spring, MD; and 10 grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Eleanor Miner, of Providence, RI.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Tallahassee, Florida on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 11:00 am. Inurnment will take place at Culley’s MeadowWood Memorial Park on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 11:00 am.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.