William Daniels

William C. "Bill"

Daniels

New Smyrna Beach, FL

William C. "Bill" Daniels, departed this life on Saturday, February 2, 2013 in the home where he had been comfortable and content for over 10 years. He was born in Plainfield, New Hampshire on October 19, 1936. He and his family moved from there to Deland, Florida in 1946 and to New Smyrna Beach, Florida in 1949.

Bill graduated from New Smyrna Beach High in 1955. His high school years generated some of his most cherished memories and many dear lifelong friendships. Bill was a standout football and baseball player for the Cudas in high school after which he attended Florida State University where he played for the Seminoles football team.

Bill worked for 31 years at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station/Kennedy Space Center as a project equipment manager employed at various turns with Pan Am World Airways, Johnson Controls and lastly NASA. He retired in 1995 to live in Titusville, Florida. He then built his final retirement home in New Smyrna Beach and moved there in 2001.

Over the years, Bill spent his free time traveling, playing golf, and working on and riding his motorcycles. Among his favorite trips were those to Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand where he played golf and enjoyed adventures with his brother and close friends. He stayed in touch with several dear friends from work who continued to gather for "Whizzer Meetings" long after their retirements and who remained connected to the end. In recent years, Bill was very fond of Friday morning breakfast rides with all of his biking buddies.

Bill will be sorely missed by his family and numerous faithful friends and affectionately remembered for his keen wit and creative pranks, his consistently positive outlook, his reliable knowledge and advice, his loyal friendship, his sharp intellect and shrewd financial prowess, and very importantly for his honesty and integrity.

He leaves behind to keep his memory alive his three children, Patricia A. (Patty) Dorsey (Hampton, VA), William C. (Bill) Daniels, Jr. (New Smyrna Beach, FL) and Margaret S. (Margie) Van Dyke (Samsula, FL); along with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one niece. He will also be fondly remembered by Barbara J. (Bobbie) Daniels, Elizabeth A. (Beth) Daniels, and Richard B. (Dick) Sweat. His cousins still residing in New Hampshire, Gloria Plummer and her family, will remember the good old times they spent together. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Lucia S. Daniels and Edward C. Daniels, Sr.; his brother, Edward C. Daniels, Jr.; and Cat.

The family gratefully offers sincere thanks to all who have been supportive and caring toward our loved one in his last years and toward us during this difficult time. Bill always said he had lived a full and happy life, and most of you were integrally responsible for helping to make it so. If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider NSB CAPS. You may donate securely online at nsbcaps.com or mail your donation to New Smyrna Beach Community and Alumni Providing Scholarships, P.O. Box 1808, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-1808.

Bill did not wish to have a formal memorial service, but a family gathering is planned for sometime this summer for a moment of remembrance and celebration of his life.