William (Bill) Robert Casey, Jr., 82, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, October 22, 2023.
A farewell service was held Monday, October 30, 2023 at Camino del Sol Funeral Chapel in Sun City West, Arizona.
Bill’s final resting place will be at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona where he will receive the military honors he so rightfully deserves.
Bill’s journey began December 31, 1940 in Cambridge, Ohio when he was born to William Robert Casey, Sr. and Jennie Elinor Underwood Casey.
Bill served our country with honor in the United States Air Force. His travels took him on adventures to far-off places; he served in Labrador, Germany, and the Philippines before returning to the United States to fulfill his duties here. It was during this time that he cultivated a strong sense of duty and integrity that would be the compass for his future.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the United States Air Force, he became a devoted Washington DC police officer and detective. He played a pivotal role as one of the lead arresting officers during the historic Watergate break-in of 1972, leaving an indelible mark on history. Later, he embraced a new
path and flourished as a respected insurance representative for AAL (Thrivent) and then a humble owner of Karen’s Flowers in Coldwater, Michigan.
April 18, 1959, he married Bonnie Bishard in Cambridge, Ohio. They were married for 13 years and lived in Lanham, Maryland.
They had four children: Debra (Charles) Thomas, William Casey, Daniel (Donna) Casey, and Duane Casey; 13 grandchildren: Amanda (Jesse) Shores, Crystal Baker, Erica Baker, Stephanie (Isaac) Scott, Elissa (Jay) Krieger, Billy (Casey) Casey, Brianna Casey, Jessica Casey, Chelsea Casey, Dean Casey, Matthew Casey, Maddison Casey and Doug Alley; and 13 great grandchildren: Aubrey Staggs, Gabriel Moran, Julian Shores, Alina Shores, Karmen Johnson, Noah Scott, Layla Scott, Jason Krieger, Jack Krieger, Oliver Casey, Zoe Belle Casey, Darren Alley and Nina Alley.
November 13, 1976, he married Karen-Leigh Helenbart in Dearborn, Michigan. They were married for 47 years and lived in Reston, Virgina and then Coldwater, Michigan before retiring to Arizona.
They raised two children: Kristopher (Mary) Casey and Kimberly (Andrew) Joyal; and had 2 grandchildren: Logan Casey and Norah Casey.
Bill cherished his role as a father and grandfather. He also found solace in the simple pleasures of life. Bill enjoyed camping and playing golf; he even achieved a remarkable “hole-in-one” at the Quincy Golf Course. Bill also loved to keep busy and took a great interest in many different things, especially when it came to projects around the house; he was a “jack-of-all-trades”.
Preceding him in death are his father William Casey, Sr., his mother Jennie Casey, his brothers Edwin Casey and Thomas Casey, and his sisters Iona Wolfe, Mary Miller, Patty Casey and Phyllis King.
Bill’s legacy lives on in the hearts of his loving wife, Karen, his sisters Dorothy Mustaine and Judy Wheeler, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his mother-in-law Helen Helenbart, his brothers-in-law Bruce (Jan) Helenbart and Craig Helenbart, several nieces and nephews as well as with all of those lives that he touched.
Bill’s presence in our lives will be deeply missed, but his memory will forever warm our hearts, just as he did in life. He was known for his generosity and warm spirit. As we say goodbye to Bill, we remember the love, the laughter, and the wisdom he so warmly shared!
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