William S. Pappas

1921 - 2015

William Spiros Pappas 1921-2015:
A deeply loved husband, father,
grandfather and family hero
age 94, passed into the hands of the Lord on July 26. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his devoted and tearful family.
Mr. Pappas was born in New York City in 1921. He is a son of the late Spiros and Eleni (nee Pantazis) Pappas of Patras, Greece; and NYC. He is a decorated WWII B-24 bomber pilot: First Lieutenant William Pappas flew the B-24J Liberator on 52 missions throughout the European theatre, returning with a one percent chance of survival. During his service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and three Oak Leaf Clusters for meritorious flight achievement.
Mr. Pappas later worked as a furrier in NYC and resided with his family in New Jersey most of his life, including Jersey City, Teaneck, Allendale, Mahwah and Toms River. He then lived independently with his wife, Nadia (nee Neckay), in North Wales, Penn., where the two recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary (July 1945 – 2015).
In his retirement, Mr. Pappas enjoyed traveling, reading, painting and being with his family. His children describe his marriage as a storybook love: Even after 70 years, his face always brightened when his wife entered the room, sometimes declaring, “there's my Queen!” Mr. Pappas also had a life-long love affair with cats, science, simplicity, pork chops, making jokes, listening intently and expressing much in few words. His children further describe him as a highly ethical, sweet and funny man who taught many valuable lessons, most through actions alone.
In addition to his heartbroken wife, Nadia, now 90 – whom he met at a rooftop YMCA dance in Manhattan in 1942 -- Mr. Pappas leaves behind three daughters, a son, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter due this October. His family includes Donna Pappas Marshall and her husband Robert of Ambler, Penn; Maria Pappas-Rogich and her husband Rev. Daniel Rogich of Canton, Ohio; William Pappas Jr. and his wife Linda of Hillsborough, N.J.; and Lorna Pappas Dockery and her husband Patrick of Byram Township, N.J. Grandchildren include Anastasia and Nikolai Rogich, Damon William Pappas and Alexander Dockery. All feel extremely blessed to have had this wonderful man in their lives. Already he is sorely missed. Mr. Pappas also is survived by a sister, Anselmo Scandalis of Ossining, N.Y. He was predeceased by two brothers, James and Peter.
In lieu of flowers and/or donations, the Pappas children request prayers of peace for their mother, who will dearly love and long for her husband forever.
William R. May Funeral Home
Glenside~North Wales
www.mayfuneralhome.com

About Pappas
n Was a decorated WWII B-24 bomber pilot
n Was highly ethical, sweet and funny
n Lived in New Jersey most of his life