1946
William "Bill"
2024
William "Bill" Thomas Napoli
January 30, 1946 — March 1, 2024
Wellsville
William T. Napoli passed away at his home in College Ward, Utah, on March 1, 2024, after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Susan and their son, Tyler Napoli. Bill was born in Newark, NJ on January 30, 1946 to Edna and Thomas Napoli. Weighing in at a whopping 10 pounds, it was a family joke that his size was the reason his petite Mother never had another child.
He was raised in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York and grew up a typical "Big City Kid" in a mostly Italian community. When Bill and Susan got married, they went to Brooklyn on their Honeymoon, so she could meet his big Italian family and learn how to make "Aunt Fannies, Meatballs"! They had a wonderful trip and had fond memories of it for many years.
Bill was known for his amazing sense of humor and it was said that he was a born entertainer. He loved to talk to people and could regale you with his ability to talk about anything and, he always enjoyed a good joke. He will certainly be remembered and missed by many as a hilarious person, as well as a great friend with a heart of gold.
Bill joined the USMC in May of 1965, right out of High School. He served through August of 1967. He spent most of his service in VietNam with the USMC Combat Engineers. He never liked to talk much about that part of his life because of the bad memories and the horrors that those young boys endured, boys who were doing their duty to their country, only to suffer mentally and emotionally for as long as he lived. Bill was a 100% Disabled Veteran as a result of the PTSD he dealt with for the rest of his life.
Bill was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 26 years and retired in 2001. He enjoyed working for the USPS and remembered so many of his customers who he paid special attention to. At Christmas each year he was loaded down with quantities of cookies, candies and treats from them. They loved him because he was conscientious. They knew he looked after their mail and did his best to make sure it was delivered intact and in a timely manner. When he still lived in Florida, he would occasionally see some of his old customers and would stop and inquire about their health and just visit with them for a bit. Always a caring man.
Bill had a lot of buddies who had also served in VietNam. They became like brothers, due to their shared service experiences. They enjoyed getting together and had breakfast at least 2 or 3 times a month at their favorite little greasy spoon, "Doe Doe's". It was usually anywhere from 3 or four guys to 5, 6 or 7 and sometimes a few wives came along. They always had a great time whenever they got together. After Bill and the family moved to Utah, a few of them came to visit. Also, some of his friends from the Post Office came to Utah for a visit as well. It always meant a lot to Bill to see his old friends.
At one point in his life, Bill felt it might be beneficial if he took up a hobby. After researching his options, he decided to take some classes in the art of Stained, leaded glass. He learned quickly and became quite good at it. He did several pieces and gave them away as gifts, never wanting to sell one one of his creations. He also won First Prize in a VA art contest with his magnificent piece he called "The Midnight Train". It is quite a stunning piece of art that Susan and Tyler cherish.
Bill loved to travel and he and Susan traveled all over the United States, taking long vacations each year. He liked to say the only state he missed was Alaska and had hoped to see it before he died. They like to camp on their vacations and enjoyed hiking and especially White Water Rafting. On their first rafting trip they rafted the Yellowstone River with huge chunks of ice floating by. They did class 4 and 5 rapids and loved every minute of it. There were many more rafting trips over the years and a few Bill went on some with his buddies. He really loved the excitement of rafting.
Later, when Tyler came along, he inherited that love of danger and the excitement of rafting and rock climbing. Tyler and Bill had an amazing relationship. Partly because Bill and Susan adopted him at a time in their lives when most people are slowing down but it was the right thing to do at the right time. Tyler and Bill formed a strong bond as strong as any biological father and son. During the last weeks and days of Bill's life, Tyler was such a comfort to him and a blessing to both Susan and Bill. He would hold "Pop's" hand and speak softly to him of all the trips taken, of all the fun and love shared over the years. Tyler could always make him smile, no matter how much pain he was in. Theirs was a bond that will never be broken. Tyler brought immeasurable joy into Bill's life, especially at the end.
Their dog, Shelby, became almost a Sentinel, spending hours beside Bill's hospital bed, keeping watch. She waited for him to stick his fingers between the rails so she could come and put her head under them to be scratched. She too, loved Bill and is grieving his loss along with the rest of the family.
The Napoli's bought a home in College Ward in 2010 to use as a vacation home. They moved here permanently in 2014. Bill immediately went to the auction and bought two calves. Soon thereafter, he planted a garden. It was not a small garden because Bill never did anything half way! He grew tomatoes, a lot of corn, eggplant, peppers, several different kinds of melons and pumpkins. He could be found every day in his garden pulling weeds with his trusty adopted barn cat, Cali by his side. He enjoyed his gardening for many years until he became too ill to continue. He hated giving up his garden, but he loved talking about it and looking at the photos.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Enhabit Home Hospice for the care they gave Bill during the last 3 months of his life. They especially wish to thank Nurse Dana, for her kindness and patience who from day one, made the entire family comfortable and answered the myriad of questions in a manner that they could understand. We would also like to thank Nurses Carrie, Clarissa and Maddie. They wish to send their gratitude to Alex, the CNA who came twice a week to give Bill his bed bath. Alex is such a kind, gentle man, and Bill grew very close to him.
Susan would also like to personally thank Shawna, the Social Worker for her love, kindness to the entire family, as well as the understanding of Bill and appreciation of his Military Service. All in all, Bill was in very capable hands with all of those people.
Susan would also like to express gratitude from the entire family to ASI, Tyler's employers. Their amazing kindness and understanding during the last 3 months, in allowing Tyler the time to be with his Dad and allowing him to work from home frequently is more than one would expect. It was a tremendous help and comfort to both of his parents.
According to his wishes, Bill has been cremated and requested that there not be a funeral. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life and Memorial service in the coming summer. Susan will notify all of his friends and family who she thinks would like to attend of would like to offer a prayer for Bill. Susan and Tyler wish to thank each and every person who has expressed their condolences and love for Bill. Special thanks to Jill and Victor Israelsen for their love and ongoing, caring comfort. They also wish to send their gratitude to Rich and Patrice Samko, Bill's longtime friends for all the comfort they have provided.
Good friends are worth more than gold......
He was raised in New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York and grew up a typical "Big City Kid" in a mostly Italian community. When Bill and Susan got married, they went to Brooklyn on their Honeymoon, so she could meet his big Italian family and learn how to make "Aunt Fannies, Meatballs"! They had a wonderful trip and had fond memories of it for many years.
Bill was known for his amazing sense of humor and it was said that he was a born entertainer. He loved to talk to people and could regale you with his ability to talk about anything and, he always enjoyed a good joke. He will certainly be remembered and missed by many as a hilarious person, as well as a great friend with a heart of gold.
Bill joined the USMC in May of 1965, right out of High School. He served through August of 1967. He spent most of his service in VietNam with the USMC Combat Engineers. He never liked to talk much about that part of his life because of the bad memories and the horrors that those young boys endured, boys who were doing their duty to their country, only to suffer mentally and emotionally for as long as he lived. Bill was a 100% Disabled Veteran as a result of the PTSD he dealt with for the rest of his life.
Bill was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service for 26 years and retired in 2001. He enjoyed working for the USPS and remembered so many of his customers who he paid special attention to. At Christmas each year he was loaded down with quantities of cookies, candies and treats from them. They loved him because he was conscientious. They knew he looked after their mail and did his best to make sure it was delivered intact and in a timely manner. When he still lived in Florida, he would occasionally see some of his old customers and would stop and inquire about their health and just visit with them for a bit. Always a caring man.
Bill had a lot of buddies who had also served in VietNam. They became like brothers, due to their shared service experiences. They enjoyed getting together and had breakfast at least 2 or 3 times a month at their favorite little greasy spoon, "Doe Doe's". It was usually anywhere from 3 or four guys to 5, 6 or 7 and sometimes a few wives came along. They always had a great time whenever they got together. After Bill and the family moved to Utah, a few of them came to visit. Also, some of his friends from the Post Office came to Utah for a visit as well. It always meant a lot to Bill to see his old friends.
At one point in his life, Bill felt it might be beneficial if he took up a hobby. After researching his options, he decided to take some classes in the art of Stained, leaded glass. He learned quickly and became quite good at it. He did several pieces and gave them away as gifts, never wanting to sell one one of his creations. He also won First Prize in a VA art contest with his magnificent piece he called "The Midnight Train". It is quite a stunning piece of art that Susan and Tyler cherish.
Bill loved to travel and he and Susan traveled all over the United States, taking long vacations each year. He liked to say the only state he missed was Alaska and had hoped to see it before he died. They like to camp on their vacations and enjoyed hiking and especially White Water Rafting. On their first rafting trip they rafted the Yellowstone River with huge chunks of ice floating by. They did class 4 and 5 rapids and loved every minute of it. There were many more rafting trips over the years and a few Bill went on some with his buddies. He really loved the excitement of rafting.
Later, when Tyler came along, he inherited that love of danger and the excitement of rafting and rock climbing. Tyler and Bill had an amazing relationship. Partly because Bill and Susan adopted him at a time in their lives when most people are slowing down but it was the right thing to do at the right time. Tyler and Bill formed a strong bond as strong as any biological father and son. During the last weeks and days of Bill's life, Tyler was such a comfort to him and a blessing to both Susan and Bill. He would hold "Pop's" hand and speak softly to him of all the trips taken, of all the fun and love shared over the years. Tyler could always make him smile, no matter how much pain he was in. Theirs was a bond that will never be broken. Tyler brought immeasurable joy into Bill's life, especially at the end.
Their dog, Shelby, became almost a Sentinel, spending hours beside Bill's hospital bed, keeping watch. She waited for him to stick his fingers between the rails so she could come and put her head under them to be scratched. She too, loved Bill and is grieving his loss along with the rest of the family.
The Napoli's bought a home in College Ward in 2010 to use as a vacation home. They moved here permanently in 2014. Bill immediately went to the auction and bought two calves. Soon thereafter, he planted a garden. It was not a small garden because Bill never did anything half way! He grew tomatoes, a lot of corn, eggplant, peppers, several different kinds of melons and pumpkins. He could be found every day in his garden pulling weeds with his trusty adopted barn cat, Cali by his side. He enjoyed his gardening for many years until he became too ill to continue. He hated giving up his garden, but he loved talking about it and looking at the photos.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Enhabit Home Hospice for the care they gave Bill during the last 3 months of his life. They especially wish to thank Nurse Dana, for her kindness and patience who from day one, made the entire family comfortable and answered the myriad of questions in a manner that they could understand. We would also like to thank Nurses Carrie, Clarissa and Maddie. They wish to send their gratitude to Alex, the CNA who came twice a week to give Bill his bed bath. Alex is such a kind, gentle man, and Bill grew very close to him.
Susan would also like to personally thank Shawna, the Social Worker for her love, kindness to the entire family, as well as the understanding of Bill and appreciation of his Military Service. All in all, Bill was in very capable hands with all of those people.
Susan would also like to express gratitude from the entire family to ASI, Tyler's employers. Their amazing kindness and understanding during the last 3 months, in allowing Tyler the time to be with his Dad and allowing him to work from home frequently is more than one would expect. It was a tremendous help and comfort to both of his parents.
According to his wishes, Bill has been cremated and requested that there not be a funeral. The family plans to have a Celebration of Life and Memorial service in the coming summer. Susan will notify all of his friends and family who she thinks would like to attend of would like to offer a prayer for Bill. Susan and Tyler wish to thank each and every person who has expressed their condolences and love for Bill. Special thanks to Jill and Victor Israelsen for their love and ongoing, caring comfort. They also wish to send their gratitude to Rich and Patrice Samko, Bill's longtime friends for all the comfort they have provided.
Good friends are worth more than gold......
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