Funeral Details

Bill will never be forgotten, he will always be in our hearts!

Joe Lorraine and Dorothy Ward

RIP Bill, and condolences to Pat and his loving family. You left us too soon.

Carol Medo

Bill was always supportive of my goals and pushed me to be a better person. He was great company during family gatherings and was an amazing trumpet player who was always willing to play for us. He will be greatly missed.

Ashley Ward

Bill was a great musician to play with. Always easy going and fun to be with. Condolences to Pat and his family.

Al Miller

Never had the pleasure to meet Bill, but I've heard great things about him. RIP Bill. My condolences to his family and friends.


Vic Fotia

Bill was a band mate and friend. I will sorely miss his enthusiasm, wit and ability to be kind at just the right moment. He was the heart of the South Suburban Jazz Orchestra, and I can't imagine his empty seat. He was the kind of guy who would always ask how my family was doing, by name. He endeared us all with how he easily reflected on how lucky he was to have Patricia. My heart is so heavy for you and all Bill's family during these difficult days.

Connie Natvig

Bill was a friend and bandmate, and one of the professional people that I knew from my work. He kept things grounded and laid back with his wit and humor in our Jazz 247 sextet rehearsals and on the stage when we performed, like we did last Friday in Tinley Park. In the South Suburban Jazz Orchestra, Bill was a positive presence and he kept everyone loose! He was supportive and just loved to play music! We are all with you, Patti and the family, as you try to process this and manage laying Bill to rest.

John Gibson

We are shocked to hear about cousin Billy. Our hearts are heavy. We wish you love and comfort in this very sad time.

David and Nancy Wolfson

I am not one to show emotions usually, just my nature and turtle shell of protection.
I think we all had the same reaction. â??Wait Bill, which Bill, not our Billâ?

It has been a bit to process. Mike, Bill and I talked several times a day to review projects which inevitably would turn down the path of some Movie quote.
Many times my Husband would chime in and the two of them could really give each other a run for their money.

Many times on Mike and Billâ??s travels together I would say, â??Talk among yourself I have work to get doneâ?. It was nice to have the back ground friendly banter. It created such a great synergy to get the job done, be cost affective and yet enjoy the ride.

I will miss not only the talks with Bill but the two cents Patty would put in as Bill would make one comment or another.
She always had our backs lol. Because of the last few months working from home, Bill will always be remembered by me, talking on the phone in his back yard while tending to his plants with Patty chiming in and keeping him in line.

He was a coworker but more than that he was a friend to all.

"Always Hide behind the truth", and "Endeavor to Preserver" we must.
In loving Memory of a Man who cared about everyone.

Tammy


Tammy McNeil

I traded alongside Bill at the American Stock Exchange. I always admired Bill's wit, tenacity and heart and will never forget hearing "Hey Flanny!" to start my trading day. Amateur boxer, jazz aficionado, good guy and a hard worker. Bill would tell you with a smile that he was 100% Jewish, 50% Irish and 50% Italian thanks to his NY upbringing. Being Irish and Italian I happily included Bill as a Brother, and he felt the same towards me.

In a year of dark events I just can't begin to wrap my brain around this loss. My condolences to Patty, I am very sorry for your loss. God bless you Bill, you were never one to rest so I won't say rest in peace, I'll just say keep doing our Creator's work like you always have. Keep a seat warm for me.

Pete Flanagan

A shock and a terrible sadness. Bill was a wonderful musician and man. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and his many friends, who also feel this loss. God Bless.

David Keeney

â??Music speaks what cannot be expressed soothes the mind and gives it rest heals the heart and makes it whole flows from heaven to the soulâ? RIP Bill you will be truly missed.

From One Music Lover To Another

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Bill but have heard tremendous stories of his talents as a jazz musician. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Julie Hernandez

I am a friend of Elise Ward. I am so sorry to learn of this news, and will keep your family in my prayers.

Jean Stasik

We are thinking of you all
We will never forget Billy

DUMONTEIL Brigitte

I worked with Bill and Bill was an amazing person and well loved by a lot of people.
Bill will deeply be missed by everyone and will never be forgotten.

Sherry Godlewski

"The iguana is the Cadillac of lizards." â?? BW

I miss you, buddy.

Russell Varano

So many memories ; we used to play monopoly and cards and he taught me the names of the cards in English ! I remember Billy singing Phil Ochs' "draft dodger rag" as though it were yesterday !I remember Billy learning my first language and repeating "la plume de ma tante" .I remember Billy telling us not to speak in NY subway because our accent would give us away and his sultry appartment in August where we would sweat (but NYC !imagine that!); it was long before I learned his name was actually William ! I'll never call him like that ! He was clever ,an artist ,and to top it all ,he had a great sense of humor!sorry for my poor English ,Billy ,but these are memories to cherish even though I didn't meet you in the last forty years.

DIDIER

Didier Dumonteil

I was at a loss for words when I heard of Bill's passing, which ia why it's taken me so long to write. Bill, or "Lobo", as I called him on the American Stock Exchange floor, was such a great mentor to me in my early days on Wall Street, and even worked his way into my heart enough to score multiple dinners at my parents' house on Lomg Island, because there was no way he was missing a free Puerto Rican pork chop!!
I was proud to be his corner man for his "white collar" boxing matches, and my parents and siblings had a blast watching him kick butt with me as the "reluctant corner guy" (think about grabbing the mouth piece 🙂 )

I will miss our talks, especially when you tried toughening me up and thickening my skin, and especially miss our walks to the Soba houses of downtown NY while talking trading, life, and food.

I am so lucky to have known you and have you show me the ropes.

Much love, hermano!

RIP Lobo

Izzy Santiago

â??What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind."

Rest in Peace Billy.

Carol Albertus

Billy and I lost touch a long time ago, but to this day the memories of us as boys in Stony Brook are firmly and ingrained as many lifelong highlights. From playing football in the Wolfson's yard, to locks and bagels at the family table, to backyard pool days, to holidays at our home. Although I played trumpet as a youth, I can recall to this day, walking up to knock on the door and hear Billy's increadible tunes coming through the walls and bringing joy to hearing such talent. Billy had an incredible sense of humor and was most of all was a an incredible friend. I'm so lucky to have known Billy and will always cherish those times we shared. Alex, Carry, and the Wolfson Family, please accept my condolences for this tremendous loss.

Jim Restivo