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William Tselepis Jr.
William Tselepis Jr.
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William Tselepis Obituary
William Tselepis Jr. grew up in a family that stressed loyalty, and he applied that value to just about everything he did. Mr. Tselepis, 33, a Chicago native, never wavered in his devotion to all of its sports teams. His best friend and frequent golfing partner was his older brother, Peter. He married his college sweetheart. He followed his older brother to New York and became a foreign exchange broker. He worked for almost 10 years at Cantor Fitzgerald, mainly trading foreign exchange options. He spent all of his free time on his wife, Mary, and daughter, Katie, now 3 1/2. And without a doubt, his older brother said, Mr. Tselepis, known as Billy, would have doted on the son he never knew, Will, born on Oct. 5.
A few weeks ago, a group of Mr. Tselepis' Kappa Sigma fraternity brothers gave Peter Tselepis a scrapbook with pictures, notes and other ephemera related to their buddy Billy, and asked that the book be turned over to Mr. Tselepis' children "so that they would know their father better," Peter Tselepis said.
Everyone, he added, said that they were still trying to cope with Mr. Tselepis' absence. "The predominant description from men and women was that Billy was gentle, caring and generally always good to be around. People wanted to be around Billy. He was just a graceful soul."
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My son near your name
Nicki Connelly
September 11, 2023
I never knew you but this is my son a few years back near your name. I hope your family finds peace somehow in the fact that people still care.
Chris Sherpan
September 11, 2023
Bill was a wonderful friend and a great teammate on the tennis team in HS. You never had a bad day when you were around him!! RIP Billy!!
Dean Katabatsos
September 15, 2022
I remember when we were kids, always looking forward to playing with Peter and Billy at family gatherings at our Papou and Yiayia's house. RIP Billy.
September 13, 2022
Billy, it's been 21 years and we will never forget you. Rest in Peace in God's Garden.
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September 11, 2021
20 years. Billy, your graceful soul will always be loved, missed and remembered. God Bless
Douglas Heithoff
September 11, 2019
Continuing to be in my thoughts and prayers, you are missed Bill.
Donna Klingler
September 10, 2019
God bless his memory and his entire family. Never forget.
September 11, 2017
Never forgotten
Douglas Heithoff
September 11, 2016
Remembering Bill after 15 years. A truly great person.
Douglas Heithoff
September 11, 2015
Extending my best wishes to Bill's family and friends.
Tom Kompare
September 11, 2015
Bill and I were on our high school's tennis team together. I remember one particular practice where he and our coach taught me to hit a wicked cross-court forehand. Bill was always there to help and was so friendly with everyone. Just a great person. Prayers to his family.
September 11, 2014
God Bless you, Bill.
May your memory be eternal.
Tim Nemec
September 11, 2014
I met Billy once to play golf with him and his dad, Bill, Sr. I worked for Amoco Oil at the time and Bill, Sr. was one of the dealers I called on. Bill used to tell me stories of his boys (Billy and Peter).... Oh, how proud he was of them! During one discussion I was having with Bill Sr., I was telling him of my worries for my two young daughters. I remember him saying that "you never stop worrying about them (your children), no matter how old they are." I remembered those very words 13 years ago today as I heard the terrible news that Billy had died in one of the Twin Towers. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that have had to deal with this tragedy. God bless!
Doug Heithoff
September 11, 2014
Always in my thoughts and prayers
September 11, 2014
Today is always a sad reminder of the enormous loss.
Dino Karabatsos
September 11, 2013
Our Papoulis, (Grandfathers), were brothers... so Billy and Peter were my and my brother George's cousins and played together as children when we visted. God bless his memory and his family.
Douglas Heithoff
September 11, 2013
Remembering Bill with fond memories of our college days.
We miss you brother!
Alex Trakas
September 11, 2012
You are in our thoughts.
Alex Trakas
September 11, 2012
Thinking about you today.
Doug Heithoff
September 11, 2012
Always in my thoughts and prayers. My well-wishes go out to his wonderful family.
September 11, 2011
Potsy: I miss you man.
Jay McKeown
Andrea & Tom Fang
September 11, 2011
I spent many mornings with Mr Tselepis Sr. and my Uncle Harry Nakis having breakfast and laughing and hearing stories about the good old days. When that day came 9-11-01....the life was taken out of that poor fathers soul.I never met Bill or his wife but I was friends with his cousins growing up.My husband and I went to ground zero a couple months later and visited the wall with all the names of the wonderful people that were taken from us that day.We took a picture of Bills name and brought it home to give to his father.We felt we needed to do something.I wear the bracelet with Bills name with pride...I hope God is looking after your children and the rest of your family.RIP Bill,
David, Maria, Stefan and Zoe Wallach
September 11, 2011
We miss you Billy. You will always be in our hearts and prayers and you will never be forgotten.
Nancy Rasmussen
September 11, 2011
I remember Bill from my algebra class at Lincoln Jr high. He sat next to me and was always there with a smile. He was one of the nicest and smartest boys I knew!! RIP Bill
Douglas Heithoff
September 11, 2011
I think about Bill almost every day. Ten years after I still remember how great a person he was. I will always hold dear the memories from the old fraternity house at Illinois where he led by example. A true class act and a great man.
Larry Horwich
September 9, 2011
Bill, your picture sits on our piano and we look at it every day. You will never be forgotten in our house. May your memory be a blessing to Mary and your two lovely children.
Caeleste Funchion
August 24, 2011
I am so sad for the loss of you Bill you were so special to me and you will always be in my heart. Caeleste
Starr Lycos McCaffery
September 11, 2010
The events of 9-11 still are a bit surreal to me, until I think of Billy. I didn't know Billy well and hadn't seen him for decades. He is my cousins' cousin from their mom's side of the family (their dad was my mom's brother) but I remember him from when we were kids and he was a great kid. When I think of Billy, the events of that day become very real to me. I don't know his wife or children, but they are in my thoughts often.
Cam Jones
September 11, 2010
For Christmas in 2001, my cousin bought Mercybands (silver bracelets that are engraved with the name of someone lost in the 9/11 tragedy) for all of our family members. The one that I received was in memory of William Tselepis Jr. I am wearing it proudly today to honor his memory and as a reminder of all of those lost on that terrible day. My thoughts and prayers are with the Tselepis family and all of the families who lost a loved one on 9/11/01. I have not forgetten that day and I never will!
Jay McKeown
September 11, 2010
I can't believe its been 9 years. I miss you Potsy. God Bless, Mary and kids.
May 15, 2009
my name is chris salvado
i sat 2 seats down from billy as a junior on the desk in 1997-1998 and i can honestly say he was an unbelievable man. he loved his family and loved illinois sports. he was a smart guy who always treated a young no one like me with a ton of respect. i will always remember you billy
raven
Karim Jones
September 10, 2008
I had the honor of babysitting Katie and Will for two summers in high school. Though I never met Will Sr., I know that I knew him through his children. I love the Tselepis family.
Ed Eaton
March 26, 2008
I just wanted to note that this great guy is still not forgotten, though this message board might be.
I have all sorts of terrific memories about Bill (not Billy - where the heck did that some from??? he was Bill or Potsy in college. If we had known he went by Billy we would have teased him mercilously) and Mary from when we were in school together, he as the president of the fraternity, she as his girlfriend, and me as a new member.
It is really poignant to see his age frozen at 33 when I am now 38 - he was older than me when I knew him and it strikes hard that due to an unspeakable crime I keep adding years while his life-story is frozen in time. It makes me ponder what I have been doing to make my time worth the bother.
My sympathies to Mary for all of the moments with your kids that he has been robbed of, as well as the growth in your relationship that you were robbed of. There are no words to express the emotions I'm feeeling - at least words that aren't foul, foul, foul. Profanity has its place, and this is it - faced with frustration and futility all you can do is swear like a bitter sailor.
Bottom line - the world was better with Bill (Potsy) in it. I am so sorry that that didn't happen.
Ed
P Tabbernor
April 4, 2007
In memory....
Edith Woolridge
September 11, 2006
This remembrance website was passed to me to view by a co-worker, Alex Olsansky who was good friends with Billy. I leave this note to say that his legacy lives on through the sharing of his life and may his family find peace in trusting in God and this is website is being viewed by many around the world! God Bless always, Edith Woolridge
Evelyn Zelmanowitz
September 14, 2005
I was a reader at the ceremony at Ground Zero commemorating the anniversary of that horrific day four years ago, having lost my beloved brother-in-law, Abe, in the north tower of the World Trade Center. After reading his biography, it was, indeed, an honor and a privilege to read the name of William Tselepis Jr.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Mary, his daughter, Kate, his son, Will, his parents and brother, Peter. No doubt this graceful soul is looking down and watching over his beloved family.
Sincerely,
Norm & Pat Krumwiede
September 11, 2004
On this, the third anniversary of your passing, we still mourn your loss and pray that God will give strength to your parents, Bill & Bertha, and your brother, Peter, and that He will extend His love and protection to Mary and the children.
Cynthia Allen Schenk
March 29, 2004
I know the Family of William Tselepis.I knew Billy as a young man. The whole Family has a great sence of humor and very big hearts.Billy was sweet and kind and he loved his parents and his brother very much. He will never be forgotten by anyone who knew him.
Nancy Warren
September 11, 2003
MEMORY ETERNAL. REST IN PEACE, WILLIAM.
youssef kamel
September 11, 2003
i knew Billy for 3 years,he used to be on the phone with me almost daily,he was always kind and professional. I used to work with Peter his brother too .I just wanted to pay my respect to Billy on this 2 year aniversary.
Youssef
Scott Triner
October 17, 2002
My Deepest sympathy to Bill's wife and family, and to his parents and brother.
I knew Bill (Billy Boy) in high school and he was a great guy to know. He was always laughing and joking, a great guy to hang with. He will be greatly missed.
May God Bless Bill and his family.
Scott Triner & Family
Leslie Shay
October 2, 2002
On Sept. 11,2002 I was honored to where William's name one of the activities our university did, was to hand out name tags to wear in rememberance of the lives lost, one year earlier. I just wanted to let the family know that even so far away your loved one was remembered and honored.
Trisha Curry
September 12, 2002
I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill but I have met Mary, Katie and Baby Will. I work with Bill's sister-in-law. You are all very special people. God bless all of Bill's family at this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
Adrienne Dimopoulos
September 11, 2002
I have known the Tselepis family all my life and have witnessed some small measure of their grief, though I will never know the full weight of it.
To Billy's parents Bill and Bertha, his brother Peter,wife Mary and children Katie and baby Will, my thoughts and prayers are with you on this anniversary of your loss.
Love,
Adrienne Dimopoulos
May 10, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL MAN..WILLIAM TSELEPIS JR.AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS LOVING FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY JESUS AND ST.WILLIAM GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Patti Edwards
May 1, 2002
I did not know William, but I work with his brother-n-law, Tim Yates. The loss of a loved one in such a tragedy must be so devastating. My prayers go out to Mary, her children, and the rest of the family. To Mary: You are infinitely dear to the Father, unspeakably precious to Him. You are never, not for one second, alone.
gina Consalvo Anderson
January 27, 2002
I went to grade school with Billy and saw him occasionally through high school. I always remember him smiling. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with his family.
Sincerely,
Gina (Consalvo), Bill and Angelina
Brian Lunn
December 29, 2001
Rest In Peace, Bill. Your memory remains.
A.E.K.D.B.
-in life and death
Teresa Jahn
December 8, 2001
We are so very sorry for the loss of William. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Greg Bedell
December 5, 2001
Bill "Potsie" was a great guy. I had only seen him occasionally since college/fraternity days, but knowing who he was, I know that he will be missed greatly.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.
John & Theresa Travnik
December 3, 2001
Mary & Tselepis Family. We just wanted to let you know we are still thinking of you, and praying for you.
Simon Brady
November 27, 2001
I worked with Bill for 2 years and know Peter. My thoughts are with you, Peter.
Tasos Agathocleous
October 29, 2001
May God Rest Williams soul.
God Bless you all.
Tasos
Lanzourakis
October 28, 2001
My family would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you. My God help you to deal with this horrible thing that has happened to you. May God repose the soul of William.
Please know that the prays of all of us will be with you and your children.
Cam, Christie, Marisa & Reid Oyen
October 15, 2001
You don't know us. My brother knows William's brother in Minneapolis. Our family prayed that he would be found alive. We continue to pray that God's grace, peace and comfort will be with his family in a time of incredible grief. Blessings to William's wife, child and brand new baby as well. And to Peter, whom I have met only once, but who is such a good friend to my brother.
(To whom it may concern: William's last name is spelled Tselepis with a "T" not an "I.")
Barbara Bolin
September 24, 2001
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
WILLIAM MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
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