William (Bill) Henry Besosa
Born March 6, 1931 in Buffalo, New YorkDeparted April 11, 2024 in Palm Bay, Florida
Bill Besosa, 93 of Palm Bay, Florida passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024 at William Childs Hospice House surrounded by family.
He was born in Buffalo, New York to William and Consuelo Besosa. He lived in New York until high school then the family moved to Miami, Florida. Bill proudly served in the Army as a Screaming Eagle from the 101st Airborne Division and was a veteran of the Korean War. He attended the University of Miami – Go Canes! prior to the Army and completed his mechanical engineering degree after returning. He also served in the National Guard. For over 30 years, Bill worked as an engineer with Florida Power & Light Company, in Miami, Sanford and Melbourne until his retirement.
Bill met the love of his life, Gayle Norris in 1965 at a University of Miami ballroom dancing class. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on December 27, 1967 in Miami. After six years in Miami, he transferred with FPL and relocated the family to the small town of Palm Bay for a quieter, slower paced family lifestyle.
Bill was truly a family man and the family meant everything to him. He would always say, “I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, loving family” – wife of 56 years, four children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was always there to offer good life advice and a loving hug to his children and grandchildren. His memory will live on in the hearts of all of those who loved him.
He was a spiritual Christian man. Born a Roman Catholic, he converted to Episcopal and raised his family at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Melbourne. There he served on the vestry, was a lay reader, church treasurer, bible study member and active member of all church activities.
Bill traveled the country by motorhome with the family and in later years with his love, Gayle. He was an avid stamp collector like his father, enjoyed working in his wood shop, continuously reading, learning and researching on the computer, and going to the shooting range with family members.
He is survived by his loving wife Gayle; his wonderful children Anne Cremeans (Larry), Maria Nichols (Nick), Cindy Besosa, David Besosa (Tosha); his treasured grandchildren Christopher (Kimberly), Jacob (Elizabeth), Rachelle (Michael), Joshua, Brianna and Tristan along with his precious great-grandchildren Logan, Vincent, Ryleigh, Leonidas, Everett, Hudson and Isla. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Consuelo Besosa and sister Carmen Saenz.
A funeral service is scheduled on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home, 1010 East Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne with calling hours from 10:00 am until the time of his service at 11:00 am. Burial, with US Army honors, will be at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 Highway One, Mims, 32754, at 2:00 pm. Please arrive at 1:45 pm and park in lane A.