William A. Dancy Jr., cherished son, brother, uncle, devoted friend and soldier passed away after a courageous 15-month battle with a glioblastoma. Born on April 13, 1956, Bill grew up on West Whitney Road alongside his grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins. In his formative years, he enjoyed family, friends, and various activities like riding bikes, making forts, and participating in Boy Scouts. The neighborhood children were always playing some sport or another in the field behind our childhood home.
During middle school, his love for running blossomed, which he continued to pursue passionately in high school as a proud member of Fairport’s Cross Country Track and Field Team. Bill’s life achievements, characterized by patriotism and community service for his hometown of Fairport, along with his dedication to running his personal best to be the first State qualifier for the Red Raiders in the sport of Cross Country, led to his induction into the Alumni Wall of Fame in 2023.
After high school, Bill felt a calling to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve in the Navy. Stationed in OAHU Pearl Harbor for six years. He demonstrated exceptional abilities, earning top-level security clearance with the National Security Agency.
Bill’s love for the great outdoors, fishing, and hunting became integral parts of his identity, cultivated during his travels and adventures across the nation. His passion for nature eventually led him to Idaho State University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in Communications with a concentration in Rhetorical Speech. At ISU, Bill discovered the Army ROTC program and eagerly joined, remaining steadfast in his commitment to serve his country.
After completing his degree, he returned to Fairport. He was employed at the Perinton Department of Public Works while also serving as a reservist at the 401st Civil Affairs Unit located in Webster, NY. Bill was called to active duty with courage and honor, serving actively during Desert Storm and Bosnia. He retired from the army in 2002 as a Lt. Colonel. People who knew Bill were drawn to his comedic take on life and his “Dancy-isms” will forever live on with all of us including: “Turbo”, “Glaum”, and “All The Way” just to name a few.
Throughout his life, Bill cherished his family and friends above all else, spreading kindness and compassion wherever he went. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he maintained his unwavering spirit, always offering love and support to those around him. In the time before his passing, Bill was able to embark on several memorable travels, including vacations to southwest Florida with close friends from the 401st. However, the opportunity to live back in his own home in East Bloomfield NY was the pinnacle of his achievements during the summer of 2023. This was all made possible thanks to the help of veterans, family, and friends.
Bill’s love for adventure took him back to his beloved ISU to vacation with his Idaho family and friends. A highlight of this trip was a return trip to Red Fish Lake, where he had always gone many times before to acquire peace and tranquility. This experience offered Bill much-needed time for life reflection and time to determine how he wanted to be remembered.
Despite his illness, Bill remained active in community events, participating in the Fairport Memorial Day Parade and celebrating his 68th birthday with family, friends, and battle buddies at his Fairport VFW Post 8495, where he is a lifetime member. He was honored and humbled to have been asked to participate in Honor Flight Rochester Mission 78, accompanied by his dear friend and battle buddy John Markin, a fond memory fitting of the bond they shared.
Today, as we bid farewell to a beloved member of our community, let us remember Bill’s legacy of service, sacrifice, love, kindness, and his indomitable sense of adventure. Although these past 15 months have been extremely difficult for Bill and our family, we have been blessed with so many beautiful gifts. We often referred to these as the “Silver Lining” of his diagnosis. Bill was blessed with a constant flow of childhood, high school, college, military friends and family near and far came to give all of us the strength to “ROCK STEADY.” Bill was further blessed to have his wonderful Wilmot Cancer Center Team who supported all of us through this journey. Places to support Bill always seemed to fall into place: the Canandaigua VA where his primary doctor and supportive staff were always at the ready, rehabilitation after his brain surgery at The Jewish Home, Assisted Living at the Atria, and especially his last residence at The Landing of Brighton were such gifts for Bill. The people who worked at all these places had love for Bill, went above and beyond all his needs and treated him like their own family. He especially loved eating with all his fellow veterans at a table created by The Landing staff. Lastly, we would like to thank the Palliative Care Unit at Strong and their Hospice team were such a kind and caring bunch. The words… Thank You from the bottom of our hearts will never be enough. Our gratitude and love for every one of you is beyond measure. Though he may no longer walk among us, his memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Bill is survived by his two sisters, Debby (Ron) Roedel and Glynda (Elaine) Dancy, two nephews, Robb Roedel and Will Dancy, and three cousins, Daniel (Susi) Bennett, Richard Iocco, and Julie (James) Denton. He is predeceased by his parents, William and Wilma Dancy, cousin Donna Iocco, his beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, Coach, and mentor Paul Beicke, and countless friends.
End of Watch, Lt. Colonel William A. Dancy Jr. if we need you, we know you are on the last bus home now, and God is the driver!
Calling Hours Thursday May 16, 2024 4-7PM at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Village Location) 41 South Main Street, Fairport. Funeral Service Friday May 17 9:30 Am at White Haven Memorial Park All Seasons Chapel 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford. it will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@richardh.keenanfuneralhome205.
A reception brunch will immediately follow the funeral service at:
Eagle Vale Golf Club 4344 Fairport Nine Mile Pt Rd Fairport, NY 14450
Please RSVP for the reception via text to Elaine @ 585-224-5991 if you plan on attending.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Bill’s honor to the VFW Post 8495 online at vfw8495.com or checks can be mailed to
VFW Post 8495 300 Macedon Center Road Fairport, NY 14450 Attention- Mike Cialini
Comments
26 responses to “Dancy Jr., William Arthur”
Forever in our hearts, your strength was inspiring and no one could have a better friend.
Bill, the more I learned about you over these many years and especially the last few months, The more I felt a genuine closeness with you. You are definitely one of a kind and I will miss you much. The family I met along the way is extraordinary and a testament to the character and pride that have always been part of your being. Godspeed warrior.
Proud to have served with you, Bill. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. See you on the other side.
Such a lovely detailed tribute to your brother.
You have such a wonderful close family. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Brother – I know you’re entertaining angels-making them laugh-just like you did for us mere mortals.
Glenda and the whole Dancy family, I am so sorry for your loss. I didn’t know Bill personally but knowing Glenda, your Mom and your Aunt I knew you would be one “heck of a guy”. Thank you for your service and I am so happy that you got to make all those memories at the end. Glenda, stay strong and keep all your memories close and Bill will always be there.
Bill, You accomplished so much and touched so many lives. Wow! I am proud to have been your friend. You took the road less traveled by, setting an example for me and am certain many others. Forever in my heart. ” Pace Bill, Pace “
You have my condolences and prayers as the address for Bill went from earth to heaven. You know exactly where he is… heaven with all those who passed before him. There is no pain, no sorrow, just joy, love, happiness and peace as he and your loved ones enjoy time with Jesus. In the meantime, you are surrounded by prayers, love and support until you’re reunited with him. He was a true warrior!!! A brave man and my bday twin.
Godspeed Bill! First Up, Always!!!
Lt. Col. Dancy was a joy to have on a mission with Honor Flight Rochester. Rest in peace, sir.
Glenda and family-I am truly in shock as I read this, I”m so very sorry. Billy was a great guy and I cherish my memories with him.
Rest in peace billy, worked a lot years with you at perinton, we had a great mutual respect for each other.
Bill, I grew up with you. I was in boy scouts and we worked at the town of Perinton highway together. You will always be a hero to me, through the military and being a Red Raider.
You will always be remembered.
“Once a Raider always a Raider”
Rest in peace
Dan Schrader
A wonderful, true gentleman. So fortunate to have met him on his Honor Flight mission. Bill, thank you for your service. Rest in peace, Sir.
The Veterans Outreach Center extends our deepest sympathy in William’s passing.
We acknowledge and are truly grateful for his service to our country.
Bill It was a pleasure to have served with you in the 401st CA BN. Over the past year It was even more pleasant to get to know Glenda and your wonderful family. RIP in our loving Father’s arms. We know you are looking down upon us and telling us ROCK STEADY!
Bill,
Thanks for your humor, and sincere belief in that there is good in everyone. Anyone that ever met you will never forget you. You are truly one of a kind and will be missed. See you on the other side brother.
Glynda I was saddened to hear of Billy’s struggles and his eventually passing. I was impressed to read of his many accomplishments and adventures. Know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love you,
MJ
We’re at that age when those we shared important events in our lives are passing on at an increasingly alarming rate. This one hurt more than most. Bill Dancy (WAD) was like the energizer bunny on steroids. While I am sure he had his down times like all of us, it never negatively impacted what we were trying to accomplish. Training missions in Germany, Desert Storm, Bosnia, weekend drills and treks to Fort Drum, Seneca Army Depot, rotations to JRTC, and on and on, Bill was a constant, the go to guy to get things done. No hesitation, just put that shiny dome down and drive forward to completion. You always new exactly where you stood with Bill, even when you ticked him off (usually not his fault), he’d blow off steam and drive on with a smile. In that inefficient machine we call the U.S. Army, when the rest of us were getting frustrated with for instance repacking our equipment for the fifth time for deployment, Bill got us moving in the right direction and we got it done. The stories abound. Happy memories for sure. Let’s keep WAD in our memories and know that he is qualifying Expert on Table VIII with his ever famous 120mm smoothbore, fin stabilized, armor piercing, sabot discarding tank rounds…. Requiescant in pace frater bellator!
Billy D, I will always cherish the memories of our days at Idaho State University and our 46 years of friendship and brotherhood. What happened to all our crazy acquaintances, Troop, Big John, Garland and Basso? I am so glad our friends from Pocatello who you forged together i.e., Norma, Jayne, Dave, and Bridgette are well and we able to continue our long and lasting friendship.
My twin brother Charlie and I as well as all of your Idaho and ISU family miss your humorous antics, your sense of humor, your comedic gestures and your laughter.
It’s not the same anymore not knowing that you always had the potential every year to visit us in Idaho to see your favorite Idaho locations.
I have so much more to say but I am not emotionally able to do it right now. Just know you will be forever in our hearts, our memories and our souls.
I respectfully salute you. You are with the driver now. Thanks for the memories on the Last Bus Home Tour. Love you.
Curtis
LTC Dancy, It was a pleasure to serve with you and to know you. A true gentleman and a great man and soldier. Rest in peace my brother. My condolences to the Dancy family.
God Bless Billy.
I met Him as football teammates on the Perinton Rec Gold Bandits back in Fall of 1969 -our eighth grade year!
Our paths continued to cross throughout the years – in school and the community. We shared a great respect for one another and I was proud of him and glad to be there when he was honored last year being inducted into FHS’s ALUMNI WOF … a distinction he very much deserved.
May his family, loved ones, and friends cherish our memories of Billy!🙏❤️🙏
So much fun growing up in Bills back yard and being with all of the Dancy and Bennett family’s.
Bill is a friend to our family and has left a lasting impression on our two generations of Army Officers. He began his time with us in the 401st as a energetic LT working for my father and finished as a MAJ mentoring me as his assistant team leader early in my career in the later 90s. He never complained about a mission or task, and took every assignment with the same high level of energy and commitment to succeed. Most importantly he ingrained in me the commitment to ensure the Soldiers we are responsible for as officers were always taken care of. Enjoy your stay at the Fiddlers Green until we meet again my friend.
Bill……So glad we could re-connect these past few weeks and celebrate your 68th! A big thank you to your fantastic family for making that happen! It was great serving with you as young LTs. You took me under your wing as you did many! Thanks for always making me laugh! Rest In Peace Brother!❤️
Billy I loved you from the moment I met you when I worked for Keenan’s. Great guy you were indeed. I will miss you and that smile I will also miss talking to you when I came to the town building. No doubt you are up there god bless you and praying for your family.