I was a customer of Bill's for many years at his Scottsdale locations. I first visted him with my mother Rosalee, and later when I met my future bride, we came together. Gayle was as delighted with Bill as I.

He was always so very kind and inviting. When we finished with business each time, had he been anyone else, we would have just said our goodbyes, but Bill would quiety usher us over to the chairs by the front window, as if he was telling me to slow down, take a breath and enjoy the moment.  What's the rush?

He called me Johnny. We would sit and talk and talk, about what I no longer remember, but I was fascinated by his words and stories, and by how he would share his passion for life.  I always left feeling warmed by his presence.

It was a sad moment when I found his shop had closed. I miss our visits, and have thought of him ofen through the years.

I was pleased to watch your tribute video, and saved the photo of Bill at his old sewing machine.

It was an honor to have known him.

My heart goes out to the entire family for your loss. Sultanna I will never forget the funny stories you shared of your father. I know how much he meant too you and many. May you all heal during such a difficult time and celebrate the life of such an amazing human being. 

Deepest sincerity,

Adrian W

Katina, Sultana, & family,
Our thoughts and our prayers are with you during this  time and always. I will always remember your Dad's laughter and smile and all the memories of us growing up together. He was not only a very special Father and Grandfather, but a very special Godfather.  We now have two beautiful angels watching over us, your mom and your dad, who are now together for eternity.  Always know we are family and we love you very much and are always here for you.  May God keep watch over you and be with you and your families always. We love you! Love always, Kathy, Sam, Eric, and Tristin 

My favorite Uncle. You have always been an inspiration for me. Everytime we speak I feel the love our families share. You will always have a special place in my heart and my life. Rest in peace Uncle Bill.  Our family loves you so much! You will never be forgotten.

To my dear friends,
Dad will be missed dearly but always remember he and mom hold a very special place in your hearts.
Remember all the good memories you had together as a family.
May dad's memory be forever eternal. 
We love you all dearly...
Kathy Tropea and family

What a beautiful family you have.  I am sending love & support
to you & your family during this difficult time.  
Sultana you are a wonderful person and such a loving daughter.
My heart understands and breaks for you. One so special will live on in the hearts of many.
                                     With love & sympathy
                                                  Patty
                                           

Katina and Sultanna, I was so blessed and happy to have known your dad all these years.  Whenever,  I would come over to his house or your house Katina, he always was so happy and had a smile on his face.  He was like another father to me and treated me like I was another daughter he had.  I was so fortunate to see him one more time a few days before he  passed at your house Katina.  Now  he will be reunited with your mama.  May his memory be eternal.💖

Where to start when talking about Uncle Bill.  Not only is he my uncle, he is my Godfather. Words can not explain how lucky I am to have had Uncle Bill in my life. A man who never met a stranger, never judged anyone, and always saw the good in everyone.  There are so many memories that it is hard to pick only one, but I think I have  just the one to share. 
In 1995 I married the love of my life, and the only relatives from my side of the family that could make the trip to Southeast Tennessee was Uncle Bill and Aunt Pauline.  Uncle Bill taught the entire wedding party how to Greek Dance. Everyone involved thought it was the most spectacular thing they had ever experienced. People still bring it up today, especially Jim’s former band students that attended the wedding. Fast forward to the day after the wedding. My family and Jim’s family all met at Cracker Barrel for breakfast before our flight out. Uncle Bill was 100% completely in love with this restaurant from the moment he walked in the door. He had never been to a restaurant like this before. I think he and Aunt Pauline went with my parents one or two more times before they flew back to Phoenix. Fast forward again to approximately 1997. Phoenix gets a Cracker Barrel. Uncle Bill calls my dad and says let’s go to dinner I know just the place, it’s new. My parents meet Uncle Bill and Aunt Pauline. They drive a little over an hour and pull into a Cracker Barrel.  My parents start smiling and they all just laugh and enjoy eating breakfast food at dinner time.   I  wish I could have been a fly on the wall that night. Guaranteed they were super loud, ate like kings, and laughed A LOT!!!!!  Rest In Peace Uncle Bill. I know you and my daddy are laughing and cutting up up there. You are forever in our hearts.  You will truly be missed. To quote my husband , “the world just lost an amazing man, one of a kind”. 

Love,
Nikki, Jim(Jimmy as Uncle Bill use to say), Callaway, Cole, and Campbell 

I have known Bill for many years. He was a kind man who was always happy. My brother Petro and him would always get together and go out for lunch. They enjoyed each others company. May his memory be eternal. 

I have so many wonderful memories of Bill.  My earliest memories are of my parents (Mena & Gust) visiting Bill & Pauline.  My father & Bill would sing & dance Greek and laugh the night away.  Bill was always fun & the life if the party. So many good memories & to many to say here.
 Bill was a good man who loved his family dearly!  I will miss him & his good natured personality, his excitement & his laugh. May his memory be Eternal. 

I met Katina when I was the young age of 20, and a recent transplant to Arizona. I am adopted of Greek heritage but I was not raised in the culture. Until I met Katina and her family, who became my family. I have so many fond memories of her father. He took me under his wing whenever he saw me. He was a loving and committed family man. One fond memory I have is from a Good Friday service at church. Being conducted mainly in Greek, I had a difficult time following along. At one point during the service, Papou leaned over, smiled, and said “You know this one. It’s the Lord’s Prayer.”  Papou and his family are my family. He is loved and will be dearly missed. May his memory be eternal! I love you, Papou.  

Dino and I are so very sorry for your loss. My memories of your Dad and Papou are of a jovial and kind man who always said what he thought with a bluntness that was honest and I loved that about him.  His jokester sense of humor, smile and laugh were contagious and brought joy.  I know you will miss him terribly but he is now with your Mama and Yia Yia in heaven making her smile.  May his memory be eternal in heaven and your hearts 💞 

Oh what to say… what a shock to hear of our loss.  However...
When a man comes into my life and I recall his positive influence and presence in my memories, I have of him over a 40 year period, is truly a great man in my eyes.  He always greeted me with open arms and welcomed me into his home, and to be accepted in his home was an honor.
I loved hearing his stories and the big barrel tone Greek laugh of his.  I loved his energy that he projected in a room and made it a jovial place.  
I believe a man’s legacy is the family he leaves behind. Knowing his daughters he has left quite a legacy and shows the character of man he truly was.
I remember him as always a giving, caring, selfless man looking out for others.  
The opportunity to spend more time and create more memories with him will be missed.

My dad was the type of dad that you could go to for anything! He would listen with his whole heart and then the advice would flow. I always felt better after our talks. He would end by telling me to be a tough Greek lol.
I was not ready to say goodbye but he was. My father passed away on his 59 th wedding anniversary! Gives me comfort knowing my mama was there waiting for him to celebrate! He was my hero. I love you so much h and you will always be in my heart !🙏❤️

I am going to miss my wonderful Uncle Bill. He was one of the funniest, kindest people I ever met. He had a way of making you feel loved every time you were around him. We used to go every Christmas to visit and to spend time with Bill and Pauline and Katina and Sultana were the high points of our yearly visits. He always let us pick grapefruit off the trees, we thought it was so much fun, but I think he liked that we did it. We would load up the car and take home dozens of grapefruit. He was funny and kind and he loved Pauline and the girls so much. I always thought he would be there. I was wrong. I should have visited more. He's in my heart now and he's with Pauline and my dad, Dino, and Perry and his family. They will be there waiting for all of us when we get there and I can't wait to play cards with him, but first I will want a big hug from him. 

I remember working with you at the preschool.  Sometimes your dad would come pick up James.  He always looked so cute and was so friendly to everyone he met.  I am so sad for you my friend.  I know this is such a hard time for you and I would do anything to take away your pain.  I love you.  You got this!  Hugs.

to my other father, Mr Kontsiotis, thank you for all of the many fondest childhood memories that were spent with you and your family and always as my second home!  I cherished every minute and loved hearing all of your wonderful advice. May your memory be eternal and always singing with the angels. 

Katina,  I remember  after your dad retired and you were teaching at Shadow Rock Preschool.  Your dad had several sports coats  that had never been picked up from his business.  I was able to send you my husband’s  measurements and you dad tailored  them for him.  I loved that passing it forward.
Our sincere  condolences to your whole family at this sad time.
Sharon

Dearest Katina, Sultana and Family:  
I was saddened to hear of your Dad's passing.
I have so many memories of your Dad when I'd come to the house. Each time (and there were many) he'd make us laugh, smile and always welcomed us into your home.
There will never be someone quite like your Dad.
He is reunited with your Mom and I can picture them together again.
Prayers, hugs and condolences to you all as you go though this difficult time.

Patera Mou,
Love You and Miss You so much!  You were the ROCK of our family and will never be forgotten!

Sultanna 💜

OBITUARY

Baselios S Kontsiotis

September 27, 1930 – November 13, 2020

A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel

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