William Vincent "Bill" Cegelis Sr.

1937 - 2021

William V Cegelis Sr.
William Vincent (Bill) Cegelis Sr. age 83 of Pine Ridge, Florida passed to the Lord April 6th 2021 following a courageous battle with declining health in recent years. He fought the good fight for family and friends until the very end.
Bill was born November 29, 1937 in Pittsburg PA to William John Cegelis and Clair Lavina (Kountz) Cegelis. He graduated from Florida International University having earned a BS in Criminal Justice. Bill was both an FAA Licensed Private Pilot and a USCG Master Level Captain.
He served four years honorably in the US Navy and four more in the Ready Reserve. Bill started his law enforcement career with the City of Livona, MI. Thereafter he spent twenty eight years with the Miami Dade Police Department retiring as a Police Sergeant. It was thirty two years of standout distinction. He was a humble and serious person respected by all with whom he worked.
His assignments with Miami Dade were many and varied. His investigative background, natural leadership ability and calmness under pressure led to some of the most intense assignments.
The then Public Safety Department launched the first ever Unit Commendation for the Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Unit he supervised. As the Columbia Cartels had just started the process of switching from marijuana to cocaine smuggling, it fell to Detective Sergeant Cegelis and a few others to inform the brass the illegal drug trade was changing; this while guiding his undercover detectives during this increasingly dangerous time.
Another Unit Commendation came some years later following a reverse sting operation - a first for the State of Florida. Based on this and so many individual awards he was selected by the Directors of FDLE, FHP, Leon County Sheriff and the Tallahassee Police Chief as "One Of The Top Ten Law Enforcement Officers of Florida".
His years just prior to retirement from MDPD were as a Sergeant of the well regarded Black Point Marina Marine Patrol.
After MDPD he first moved to Vero Beach with his best friend and wife Betsy.
After volunteering his nautical services to the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute he decided to join the many friends and former coworkers who migrated to Citrus County.
here he organized regular lunches wherein retirees would travel from around the state to meet and reflect back. He truly enjoyed the camaraderie.
Bill was a Roman Catholic and belonged to Our Lady of Grace parish. He was an avid fisherman having owned five boats, enjoyed all sports, sport cars, old trucks, driving, his pet dogs, reading, cooking and grilling.
He belonged to the FIU Alumni Association, the American Legion Post 155, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Moose Lodge of Crystal River and the Miami Dade PBA Retired Officers Council. An early Dade County PBA member, he served for a time as Vice President.
He is survived by his lovely wife Mary Elizabeth (Betsy); two sons William Vincent Jr. (Elese) of Lexington, SC and Patrick Scott (Deborah) of Odessa, FL; brothers Richard John of West Jefferson, NC and Douglas Charles of Live Oak, FL; sisters Barbara Claire Oksanen of Jefferson, NC and Christine Ann Cegelis of Chicago, IL; grandsons Bryan Wayne (Jessica) of Simpsonville, SC and Justin William (Meghan) of Lexington, SC. There are five great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.
He has an extended police family and he held most of the men and women he served with in the highest regard.
There will be a funeral mass for family and close friends at Our Lady of Grace at a date to be determined. His wishes were to be cremated with interment at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
Bill's last "Usual Suspects Luncheon" is being organized in his honor by his extended police family. It will be a 'A Celebration Of Life' at Tuscany On The Meadows 350 E Norvell Bryant Hwy, Hernando, FL 34442 on May 7, 2021 at 12 Noon.
Please contact Paul Law plaw50@yahoo.com or petecuccaro@gmail.com for information regarding the agenda, menu, and discount accommodations for out of town guests.
Sign the guest book at www.chronicleonline.com.