William Patrick Daley Jr.

William Patrick Daley was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, William will be remembered as an outstanding individual.

      Bill was born on April 20, 1937 at St. Francis Hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He was the son of William and Victoria Daley. Bill grew up in LaCrosse, Wisconsin - then in 1945 moved to St. Paul, Minnesota.

      Bill was raised with two siblings. He had two older sisters, Marian Olson and Rita Schaffer. Bill was usually involved in all sorts of activities with his siblings. He and his siblings experienced rivalries typical of a growing family, but they shared many life experiences over the years.

As a young boy, Bill had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. Bill was an active child who took part in neighborhood pick-up games, baseball, football and ice skating. In his spare time he liked comic books. However, to Bill, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

       A typical teenager, Bill had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He graduated in 1955 from Wilson High School and attended Central High School for 9th & 10th Grade. He enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. His favorite class in high school was workshop. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Mr. Rossini. Average student and loved bowling.

      Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, Bill enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. While growing up, some of his best friends were Noel Lien, Dick Auney, Ron Fryer, and Jack Adolph. Later in life, he became friends with Noel & Carolyn Lien, Harold Koppy, Don Vanderbeek And Tom Riley.

       Empathic and loyal, Bill was committed to making his new family happy.

      Bill worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Bill was blessed with three children, two sons Thomas (Tom) and James (Jim) and one daughter Vickie. Another blessing for Bill was the gift of three grandchildren, 2 grandsons Anton and Lucas, 1 grand daughter Lily.

Fortunately, Bill enjoyed what he did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Bill worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was Insurance Company, claims supervisor and underwriter. He was employed for MSI Insurance for 32 years. Bill always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Bill was an Air Force Reserve. He was in the Air Force Reserve for 8 years. His fellow soldiers viewed him as a brother in arms and knew that he was as much a part of their family as their loved ones back home.

      Bill enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were bowling, trap shooting and coin collecting. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Bill found pleasure in sports. In high school, Bill was part of the swim team. Recreational sports included bowling, softball, golfing, fishing, hunting, trap and skeet shooting. Bill was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he had the chance to do so. Tops on his list were golf, baseball and football.

Throughout his life, Bill was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. In high school, Bill was a member of the Spanish Club. Throughout his later years, Bill was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill was a man who took pride in upholding his beliefs. So it is little wonder that he took an active role in his community, serving on committees as a board member of two townhouse associations. Politically, Bill was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party.

Bill’s faith was important to him. He was a member of Transfiguration Church for 19 years and Presentation Church for 16 years. During that time, he participated in the Men's Bible Study Group and Men's Club.

      Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Bill was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included his bowling trophies and Third Degree in the Knights of Columbus.

      Bill enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, Ireland, Fort Meyers Beach, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada and numerous bus trips.

       Bill was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. His favorites were Dogs Brownie, Schultz a Husky/Shepherd, and Duchess a Brittany Spaniel. They were best friends for 20 years.

When Bill’s retirement finally arrived in 1989, he was well-prepared. Remained in St. Paul area, Oakdale and finally Woodbury. In retirement, he found new pleasure in reading, relaxing on the patio and cooking out. Even in retirement, Bill continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Bill was active in his new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him.

Bill passed away on February 27, 2009 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Vascular arterial disease, his heart finally gave out. He is survived by his wife Cheryl; children Tom, Jim and Vickie; grandchildren Anton, Lucas and Lily and his sisters Marian and Rita. Services were held at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Oakdale, Minnesota. Bill was laid to rest in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

      Simply stated, Bill was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Bill leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember William Patrick Daley.

Dearest Bill,

I can only describe my life with you as an adventure!

Your sense of humor was the first thing that I was attracted to. I met you when I was promoted to the Claims/Cashiering Department at MSI in 1970. You were the supervisor of that unit and you loved to joke with your employees.

Imagine my surprise when you called me on a Sunday Evening in March of 1971 at home. You opened the conversation with “Hello, this is Bill Daley. You’re fired, because you did not report to work on Saturday.” I responded you did not tell me I had to work. “Oh, I didn’t? How would you like to go out on a date next week? Wow, talk about an unusual approach!

So we started dating. As I got to know you, the thing that was most important to me was your love for your sons. That was most important because if you had not loved your own children, how could you then love my child.

We dated for three years before we married. Your marriage proposal was also very laid back. We were driving home from work (I finally agreed to let you drive me to and from work, as we lived on the same part of town and we could be considered car pooling friends) and you said: “What do you think about getting married?” We married on June 28, 1974.

You introduced me to so many things I had never done: vacationing at a resort, fishing, boating, golfing, and dining out at nice restaurants. I vividly remember the time you went duck hunting and came to my apartment with two (2) ducks; and I actually helped you pull out feathers before you cleaned them.

You enjoyed your life to the fullest doing so many things you loved: bowling, fishing, hunting, golfing, sunning yourself out on the deck, grilling our meals during the summer and sometimes into the winter months, and lately simply reading all afternoon. You especially loved visiting with your buddies enjoying a beer and a bump. You partied hard and always had a great time.

You raised Vickie as your own child and formally adopted her when she was 12 years old. Unfortunately the child age relationship was very rocky for both of you but the relationship you had with Vickie the past years is wonderful; she is so much like you in many ways that one would never know you were not her birth father.

You were not a patient man but you were a loving and caring man. I know you loved me deeply; you just couldn’t express that love verbally. You were so punctual that at times it drove me nuts – we always had to leave at least 30 minutes before the necessary travel time to get to our destination; over the course of our years I always made sure I was ready 15 minutes before the time you told me we were leaving. I will never be late for an appointment for the rest of my life.

Your sense of humor was wonderful; your laugh so contagious. You never did or say things you didn’t mean; one always knew where they stood with you.

We truly enjoyed our time together at home and on our travels. I am so thankful I retired in 2006 and we were able to spend all our time together; the fact that we didn’t kill each other is evidence of our love. The past 10 years we had traveled somewhat by bus, which was nice for you because you didn’t have to do the driving.

You were a chauvinist when it came to driving; you never let me help with the driving on our trips because you were the “driver”. The only time I drove you was when you physically could not do so and you didn’t like it; I know because you usually were out of the car as soon as it stopped!

It was such a joy to watch you with your grandchildren. You enjoyed your time with the boys, but your attention to Lily was unbelievable – you just couldn’t get enough of her.

You had such a strong will to live. That strength was evident every time you had to have another surgery. Over the course of 35 years, I have waited by your side for seven (7) major surgeries and you always came through; but not this last time.

I want you to know I will be just fine but extremely lonesome particularly in the evenings. I will always treasure my memories and your love.

Love Always,

Cheryl