William Warner Wilcox
d.o.b. 11/7/1932
d.o.d. 11/26/2022
United States Coast Guard (Ret.) Commander William W. Wilcox steered the ship his entire life even until the end. Bill died due to complications from Lyme Disease at Rochester Regional Health, Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center on November 26, 2022, with family by his side.
He was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years, Patricia.
Survived by his four daughters: Linda K. Green, Deborah J. Wilcox Mabry, Cynthia W. Beiter and Wendy L. Pospiech. Bill wanted to also specifically recognize his three wonderful sons-in-law whom he was so glad to have as part of the “Wilcox” family: Robert A. Green, Jr., Stephen A. Beiter and Mark D. Pospiech.
Not to take away from the love and devotion he had for his daughters, his nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life: Abbey Green Mongosa (Cody), Charlie, Josephine and Evelyn; Matthew A. Beiter (Katie), Jacob, Adelina, Jack and step-daughter Ava; Stephanie Beiter Frackenpohl (Andrew), Annabelle and Juniper; Robert A. Green, III (Niki), Lyla Rish, Robert A. (https://skinclinic.es/) Green, IV and step sons: Ethan and Jonathan Devers and Josiah Castillo; Daniel W. Mabry (Vita); Ashley, Morgan, Kaitlyn and Samantha Pospiech.
In addition, Bill and Pat were “parents” to two special foreign exchange daughters, Maija (Finland) and Semiha (Turkey). They stayed in contact with them and visited both Finland and Turkey.
Bill was predeceased by his parents, Leo C. & Cora G. Wilcox, his brother, Robert and sister-in-law, Patricia Wilcox. He was survived by two nieces, Jennifer Blyn (Larry) and Janet Dhillon (Uttam) and two great-nieces, Rebecca and Danielle Blyn, and many Gibson/Wilcox cousins.
Bill was very fortunate to have so many lifelong friends, colleagues from Penfield High School and classmates from Amherst College who became good friends, wonderful neighbors and students that stayed in touch and shared their professional successes with him.
He graduated (BA Cum Laude) from Amherst College in 1954 and went on to get his Master’s degree from SUNY Albany while working full time as a Chemist at General Electric Co. and helping raise his triplet daughters who were born in 1957. He then went on to get his Certificate of Advanced Study at SUNY Brockport.
Bill spent two years active duty in the US Army Medical Corps (1954 – 1956) and three years in the reserves (1956 – 1959). He then went on to spend 31 years in the US Coast Guard Reserves, retiring in 1992 as Commander.
Bill spent his professional career at Penfield Central School District teaching Biology, Life Sciences, Physical Science, AP Biology and General Physics. He was Science Department Chairman 1978-1988. He made a difference in so many lives, many of whom were his students. Although long retired, he never stopped teaching in some form or another, and even picked up the biology and chemistry books, in the last couple years, to work with his granddaughters.
Most importantly, we learned so much from him and want you to know that he made a difference in all our lives.
Bill believed strongly in giving back and was involved over the years in the Perinton community: the Fairport Rotary Club (18 years), Perinton Ambulance (14 years), Egypt Hills Neighborhood Association, Town of Perinton Conservation and Planning Boards and Meals on Wheels.
The family would like to sincerely thank the medical and nursing staff at Unity Hospital; the nurses, aides and home health care therapists for their compassionate care while he was at home trying to recover from the devastation of Lyme Disease and finally, the nurses and staff at Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center for their outstanding and calming care of Bill and our entire family over the last couple days of his life.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributions in Bill’s memory to Perinton Ambulance; Perinton Historical Society or Rochester Regional Health Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center.
Calling Hours: Friday, December 9, 2022 from 3 – 6 at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. There will be no funeral service.
Friends and Family are invited to “The Barn” on Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 3 to 6PM for a Celebration of Bill’s Life. Please let the family know if you plan on attending, by calling his daughter, Deb at 585-738-7866 or by e-mail djwm03@gmail.com. Thank you.
Comments
17 responses to “Wilcox, William Warner”
A very wonderful man and colleague. My condolences.
I miss you so much Dad. You were an amazing Dad. You were always there for me no matter what. You helped me sort through problems and you were always there to support me. I couldn’t have asked for a better Dad. When Mark’s Dad died, you stepped in to offer support and love. That meant the world to him and he has never forgotten how much you helped him through such a horrible time. You were a wonderful Grandfather to our daughters. You taught them life lessons, gave them advice, gave each of them unconditional love, and even tutored them in biology and other subjects.. They miss you so much. We are all better people because of you. You taught all of us so much over the years and we are grateful for the time we had with you. We will all miss you but we will remember you always with lots of love. I love you!
Bill, I always admired your hard work and professionalism but above all your honesty and dedication. Rest in peace. Ron Bailey
Grandpa, You will be missed immensely and wish we had more time to talk about woodworking and the world. I hope that I can become the man,Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Father, and Husband you were to all of us. Thank you for all the wisdom and knowledge you gave to so so many people in the last 90 years. Your impact on the world will be felt for decades to come. I hope Grandma and You are at peace and catching up. Love you.
I was a colleague of Bill’s for nearly 20 years. He was a man who taught his fellow teachers as well as his students.The word I would use to describe him is “principled”. No matter how large or small the issue he could be counted on to have thought it through and taken a stand. I learned a great deal from him.
I spent my career at PHS working with Bill. He was an inspiration as a principled, thoughtful and an excellent instructor. RIP.
PHS 1967 here. An outstanding teacher and advisor. He often attended our reunions when in better health. I am unable to attend the Celebration of Life as I live in Florida. Sending prayers and imaginary flowers to the extended family. eHugs, Art Medici
Mr. Wilcox was my favorite teacher at Penfield. He challenged us and was also encouraging. And he was my secret crush. I once asked him if he thought I could get a Ph.D. in Biology. Of course, he said yes. Turns out I got one in English Literature and have been teaching ever since in one form or another. Thanks for being a great teacher, Mr. Wilcox.
I had Mr. Wilcox for Biology, he was the best instructor I ever had, and always looked forward to his class. I am glad to have known him. Condolences to his family.
Mr Wilcox (he will always be Mr Wilcox to me) was my teacher for Biology and AP Biology. He introduced me to the whole world of science and the concept of the scientific method. I have kept with me his thought processes all my life. Few teachers had the commitment to their students that Mr Wilcox provided everyday of class. PHS1967
As a colleague of Bill’s for much of my career at P.H.S., I admired his frankness, his work ethic, and his intelligence. Both he and his lovely wife Pat shared their “barn” annually for a faculty picnic, so I had the opportunity to see Bill as a proud father and devoted grandfather. God bless Bill and his progeny.
1965 here – I had Mr Wilcox (never could quite call him ‘Bill’ although my mother (Jane Amey) always referred to him that way) for biology. I wouldn’t say it was my best subject, but the sessions we spent doing genetics led me to a future love of DNA/gene/family history, for which I’m very grateful. Thing I remember about Mr Wilcox, aside from his smile, was the many times he walked through the lab with a ‘frozen’ pig sticking out of his lab coat’s pocket! Many memories…. Please accept my condolences on his loss. He was a great teacher, in much more than just biology.
On July 24, 1966 I enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. Mr. Wilcox was my biology teacher at Penfield High School. Over the years when I was on leave, I would visit with Mr. Wilcox at Penfield High School and we would talk about the experiences I was having during the Viet Nam War as a Coast Guard radioman. I always enjoyed visiting with Bill because we had our Coast Guard careers in common and he always encouraged me to do my best and make the Coast Guard a career. Semper Paratus my friend and may God Bless and comfort his family during this most difficult time.
We only knew Mr Bill for a short time, but that does not remove the compassion we had for. Man of a few words in his latter days, but he knew our names and that meant everything. Rest well Mr Bill. Wyatt and Browns
I am grateful that Bill hired me as a PHS science teacher in 1995, launching my career in education that continues today at MCC. His guidance and mentoring were appreciated, and he and Pat were so gracious in opening their home for department, faculty, and retiree parties. His was a life well-lived.
oops that was 1885!
PHS 1984. Bill was our family’s neighbor, before I was old enough to remember. Then he was my teacher for 7th grade science and AP biology. When we reconnected more recently it was a friends. I learned so much from Bill – critical thinking, how to lead by example, and a love of science that endured. More recently we talked about the advent of COVID, and how it was shaping lives – Bill was working on a compilation of how COVID was affecting the community. And since my PhD is in virology, I found myself at the frontlines of developing assays to detect antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2. We compared notes. We also talked about what it was that he was trying to instill in his students, and remarkably, when I described what I got out of his classes? He pulled out his lessons plans from 1984 and showed me that that was exactly what he had laid out. Bill has been a great mentor to me and a good friend as well, with strong principles and a wry sense of humor. l will miss Bill, but the legacy he leaves – his family, his friends, and his colleagues and former students – will live on. Pax vobiscum.