Billy,

I think of you all the time. I wish you had seen the text messages I had been sending you before you passed. As I was preparing for Dad's funeral, I came across so many pictures of our childhood. I couldn't understand why you were not taking my calls or answering my text messages. To get a call saying you had passed, to say I was shocked would be the understatement of the year.  So much to say, so much to laugh about, cry about and so many life's moments you will miss now that you are gone. When I talk to you at night, I still hear your laugh. Sometimes when funny things happen, I often think you are up in heaven orchestrating and hear you laugh. I know you and Patricia are having fun together again. Please keep an eye on us down here. You were loved, you were understood, and now you are missed. 

Continued letter from Bill's wife:
      
Everyday you greeted me with a cup of coffee, if you left the house for work at 4:30 am, I woke up to a cup of coffee at my bedside, if we had a spat the night before, if you were tired, it didn't matter.   I woke up with a cup coffee at my bedside.   God, I am going to miss that.  You warmed up my car everyday so I wouldn't have to get into a cold car. In fact I never had to worry about my car breaking down because you kept it in tip -top shape.  You could take a car engine or a boat apart and put it back together.  You were naturally bright.  You had an engineers mind and a lot of common sense, which is not common.  I could go on and on  about of how hard working you were, all you did for me, Heather, my entire family, your entire family, our friends, the list is endless.   I don't know anyone who worked harder than you.   Up at 5:00 am everyday.   You taught me discipline.   You taught me to be humble.   The life lessons you have taught me I will carry through the rest of my life.  You made me want to be a better person.   I can hear your voice telling me and helping me put one foot in front of the other during these very painful times.  
  What I will miss most is your strength, Your fortitude.  You were my rock.   You always had my back.  I don't know how I am going to continue in this life without you.   I believe you and the Lord will give me strength.    Love, me xo

My Dear Bill,
      I remember when I was at Alice's house(may she RIP)she got off the phone with you and said "That is the guy for you".  He is such a great guy.  He would take off his shirt and give it to anyone who needed it.  So true, you helped everyone.   So generous.  The problem was you lived a 1000 miles away.  Within one one month you were living here and working in NYC as a steelworker.  We met, you asked me out immediately.  We were together ever since that first date.   It was meant to be.  What impressed me was your raw honesty and    
kindness.  You were a straight shooter, a man of integrity.  A loving
husband who helped me raise the beautiful woman you called your daughter Heather.  You taught her what a loving husband looks like.  I believe this is why she is blessed with her adoring husband Diego.   I remember when you would drag her back to school to get her spelling book, when she would sometimes "forget her book" You would always take her for a donut before taking her home and helping her study.  You didn't call yourself religious but when Heather brought home the statue of our blessed mother, you sat with your family and prayed the rosary everynight. You were the dad who went on the Alter server trips, soccer, basketball practice, Girl Scouts, drama .  You were always present for us.  Deeds not Words.   You always said " I can say I love you 1000 times but True love is how we show our love. "   You made friends with everyone.  People were attacked to you.  Whether we were hiking, biking, boating, we always met someone along the way.  I remember one day we went to Lake Wallenpaupack and planned a quiet picnic,a couple stopped to talk with us, three hours later, when they left , you looked at me and said "I'm sorry".  I wasn't mad, I realized I had to share you with the rest of the world.  It was funny, we joked about it.  Your sense of humor had me laughing everyday.  You found humor in everything.  I loved your laugh.  I miss that.

Billy. Was my early childhood friend..many memories with Billy from camping up on federal hill,to just running the streets of Bloomingdale N.J.
Kinda lost track of each other when I left INnew jersey for the miliyary in 1975.. ..5 years later, I came home to jersey..Bill was gone on many of his trips to God knows where..BUT , HE ALWAYS , found time to come back to to the old neighborhood an look up his friends.
Many , many. great. Memories of BILL....
BILLY will surely. Be missed by many.. 
My sincere condolences to. BILL'S. FAMILY , FRIENDS an ALL who knew him.. thought of BILLY. OFTEN over the years.  He will NEVER be forgotten !!  REST IN PEACE,  BILLY.. TILL WE MEET AGAIN IN THE HEAVENS ABOVE... YOUR CHILDHOOD FRIEND....CHRIS KELLY

I've known Bill and his sister Lynne since high school. When Bill left for the army/navy he traveled around the country alot and everytime he would roll back into town he always had some great stories. Bill was one of the greatest storytellers, he will be missed by all his family and many friends. My deepest sympathies go out to his entire family. GOD BLESS YOU BILL ,REST IN PEACE Chuck DeHaven 


I want to give you my deepest condolences for your loss and ours of Bill many memories we came from the same neighborhood the flats of bloomingdale he will always be in our hearts and minds forever God Bless until we meet again 🙏 Bills friend Carl Gripenburg 

He and my brother Brother Bryan Beck used to hang out all the time he was always such a nice person to me and my sister Nancy  when he loved on Orchid Street  . He will be miss may he Rest in peace always 

God Bless you Ann and Heather. Billy chose both of you to be the family he always wanted. So I know how fortunate you all were to have each other while riding this wonderful life God has blessed us with! I have so many fantastic memories of Billy since I was a very young child as you know! Billy and I have a bond that only can be matched by loving siblings! We have experienced grief from losing family members to celebrating births of new ones! I know Billy didn’t want us to know he was sick to spare us from the pain and anguish that accompanies losing a loved one! Billy you will live in my heart for the rest of my life my brother! RIP 🙏❤️


Anne,
Hold tight to memories for comfort, lean on your friends and family for strength, and always remember how much you are loved. I pray that in the midst of your sorrow you find comfort in all the joyful memories shared. So very sorry for your loss.



Look at that smile... and the love in those eyes...   both meant for you! He was your one great love... and you, his.  I only wish you Peace and calmness after this tragic  storm.  The willow bends... the oak does not... you are his oak!  
                   Love you Anne-

We are so sorry to hear about Billy’s passing. He was a childhood friend and will be greatly missed.   Prayers for him and his family 🙏🏼       Kraig & Shawn Nelson 

OBITUARY

William "Bill" R. Dale III

March 7, 1958 – January 6, 2022

David T. Ferguson Funeral Home

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