WILLIAM F. LICHTE

CRYSTAL LAKE - William "Bill" Francis Lichte of Highland Beach FL., passed away on Friday, December 15th, at 10:12 a.m. at the age of 92 years young. Born on January 12th, 1931, in Brooklyn NY, later growing up in Teaneck NJ, playing both baseball and football for the Highwaymen. Attending Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA, and then graduated from West Virginia University (WVU), Morgantown, in 1953, with a business degree from Chambers College of Business and Economics, being an active Sigma Phi Epsilon " SigEp," playing baseball. He entered the U.S. Armed Service in 1953, attached to the Big Red One 1st Infantry Division as administration clerical, based in the European theater. He wrote letters and postcards home to his mother and father, William H. and Florence M, detailing his antics and travels as well as those of his fellow soldiers, seeing much of Germany, England, Spain and France, keeping in contact with many for years to come. After arriving home after the service, Bills parent conspired with family acquaintances, Russ and Dorothy of Tenafly NJ, for a "accidental" meeting with his soon to be wife of 55 years, Aileen. He worked for Household Finance Company (HFC), rising through the ranks to AVP / Advertising and Marketing, traveling the U.S. and Canada. With countless stories sewn together from living in NJ, KS, CA and Crystal Lake, IL while working at World HDQ in Chicagoland, he retired in 1988 wintering and then moved to Highland Beach FL. Bill Lichte enjoyed living near the water in NY, Sunnyvale CA, Crystal Lake IL and Highland Beach FL, was actively involved in many youth sports, including coaching over 20 years of little league baseball, travel and CABA. Active in golf and a love of tennis for 30 years till the age of 80. Preceded in death by his parents; his loving and devoted wife, Aileen ("Saintly"); and survived by their three children, Donna "Sue" Pilkington, William R., and Deron; as well as seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the MANY co-workers, associates, friendships and outpouring from caregivers and acquaintances for the care and compassion they showed our father. While he lived robustly, and as well in his final days, he leaves a lasting memory that will carry with us is the consistent observations of his time given to others in mentorship, leadership and kindness left upon many of the consistent observation of our father that he lived the phrase "If you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say it," and often heard statement "I have never heard Bill say something poor about anyone, he always found something good in everyone." "... and may the peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4.