Bill Krick survived 34 years as a firefighter. He died fishing, a sport he loved.
Mr. Krick, 66, a fourth-generation West Palm Beacher who retired eight years ago as a city Fire-Rescue battalion chief, vanished Saturday in Everglades National Park, according to his family and a National Park Service spokeswoman. His body was found Sunday afternoon.
He died with his first grandchild on the way.
Mr. Krick disappeared beneath the surface of Oyster Bay, in the park’s Shark River area, around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, park service spokeswoman Linda Friar said Sunday evening.
The Coast Guard and Everglades National Park officials searched Saturday night for the missing man, even calling in a Jayhawk helicopter with night-vision capabilities from the Coast Guard station in Clearwater.
Severe thunderstorms Sunday hampered the search, but Mr. Krick’s body finally was found and was turned over to the Monroe County Medical Examiner, Friar said.
Mr. Krick’s family and friends said they believe he had some sort of medical problem right before he disappeared.
“Bill’s been a fisherman and in and out of the water his whole life. He’s one of the strongest swimmers I’ve ever seen in my life,” family friend Patricia Abram said Sunday from the family home in Palm Beach Gardens.
She said her husband, John Poff of Wellington, and Mr. Krick’s brother-in-law, John Dolezar of the Orlando area, had rented a houseboat and two flatboats at Flamingo and were in Oyster Bay, in the Shark River area.
“It was a fishing trip they’d taken many times,” she said. She said her husband was too distraught to come to the phone.
“They fished in the morning, went back to the boat, and had lunch,” Abram said. She said Dolezar then took one flatboat to retrieve a favorite fishing reel he’d lost in the water.
At that point, she said, Poff noticed Mr. Krick’s flatboat had broken loose from the houseboat in a strong current and Mr. Krick dove in after it.
Abram said Poff quickly saw that his friend was in distress. Amid the noise of the houseboat’s generator, he shouted to ask whether Mr. Krick was OK. She said Mr. Krick appeared to mouth that he wasn’t.
She said Poff dashed into the houseboat and grabbed three life jackets.
“He came out 60 seconds later. Bill was gone.”
Mr. Krick is survived by his wife Cathy D.; his son William P. and wife Shannon of Plano, Texas; and a brother Peter and Peter’s wife Sarah, of Grand Junction, Colo.; as well as his mother Alma Krick.
Funeral arrangements were underway Sunday.
Staff writer Willie Howard contributed to this story.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jerry Catoe
July 17, 2021
Bill was a kind and generous man, and he was always ready to come to the aid of a friend or co-worker who needed him.
His humor was contagious and he enjoyed the time he spent with the guys at the fire station.
Those of us who knew him for years know he was a good friend and a reliable team member, whatever the job.
I´m sure he is greatly missed by his family and friends.
Ray and Roberta Kerkhoff
July 31, 2012
We are so very sorry -guess heaven needed another good cook.
Patti Gardner
July 26, 2012
Cathy - I'm so sorry to hear of your heartbreaking loss - my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Paul & Darlene Lotts
July 26, 2012
For everyone out there that Bill helped over the years pay it forward the world will be a much better place. R.I.P. Chief
Heather Luttier
July 26, 2012
Cathy, I was so saddened to learn of Bill's passing. I have fond memories of our years on Edgewood with you, Bill and Billy. Am thinking of you and the family. Warm regards, Heather Hadley Luttier.
Cletus Pirtle
July 24, 2012
Cathy, There is nothing I can say, being at a lose for words at this time other than, all of you are in my prayers.
God bless you,
Cletus
Craig Segal
July 24, 2012
Cathy, Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Alma,little Bill and rest of family. Big Bill will be missed greatly. Please know we are here for you if there is anything you need.
Your friends at office,
Sandy, Laura, Amy, Inga, Sue,Jill, and Craig Segal.
Karen Banasiak
July 24, 2012
Cathy, We are so sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful and respected person. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. If there is anything we can do, please do not hesitate to call. Our Love, Karen and Rory Banasiak
Seana and Jim Gallo
July 23, 2012
Cathy, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. All our love.
Jim and Terry Flowers
July 23, 2012
Cathy
I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a good friend and I always had the best of times and biggest belly laughs with him on our many fishing trips. He was always fair and up front with me at the Fire Dept. and I respected him for it. I will miss him.
Terry and I send our prayers and wish you some comfort during this hard time.
christina lueders
July 23, 2012
Cathy, So incredibly sorry about Bill. He was a warm, funny man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sigrid Harshman Hawkins
July 23, 2012
Cathy and Billy,
I was so shocked to hear about Bill. i know the loss you are feeling and want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this time..if you need any thing please call.
Dr. Steve Kringold
July 23, 2012
Bill was an engaging man with a big heart. He was an instant friend to all who met him. I enjoyed playing golf with him and will miss him. As a volunteer firefighter and retired medical doctor, we shared a common bond, stories and many laughs. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kathy and his family. I am shocked at his passing, and will long remember his endearing smile.
Helen Gerard
July 23, 2012
Cathy, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to ask. Love,
Financial Planning Investment Group
July 23, 2012
Bill was an amazing man, so generous and always smiling. He will be greatly missed and his memory will live on in our hearts.
July 23, 2012
Cathy-mere words cannot express how we feel-you know we loved Bill and he will be sorely missed-we're here for you.
Sue and Bob Wipperman
Ray Malin
July 23, 2012
Chief Krick had an Immediate, positive impact on me me as a young firefighter at WPBFR. His influence on me has continued as my career in the fire service has progressed, I am sure there are countless others who feel the same way and he will continue to touch all of our lives. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Chief Krick's family.
July 23, 2012
my prayers to your family over your loss,pierre czernowski
Rick and Linda Roberts
July 23, 2012
Linda and I were shocked and saddened to hear of your loss. We send our condolences as Bill was a great person and I was lucky to have known him and worked with him.
Larry & Kathy Prossen
July 23, 2012
So sorry to hear the sad news and we are so very sorry for your loss....please accept our deepest sympathy.
Cindy Weeks
July 23, 2012
Krick family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Bill at South Tech and always found him to be so happy and fun to be around. Please know he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Ray Carter
July 23, 2012
Cathy,
We are all saddened by the loss of Bill and our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your family. Bill had many friends throughout the Fire Service and South Florida Boating Industry. RIP Bill!
Tracy Conner-Harris
July 23, 2012
Cathy and Billy,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Please know that I am holding you close in thought and prayer.
Michael Reimer
July 23, 2012
Cathy and Family,
I heard of your tragic loss late last night. Bill was as special person and was always there for me while working together at the Fire Academy and WPBFD. He was a wonderful friend and mentor to so many Firefighters in South Florida and will be greatly missed. Please accept my deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Mike and Tracey Reimer
George DeBay III
July 23, 2012
Bill was a dear friend of our family. He spent many of hours in our Dad's Tackle Shop.
An active participant with the KID HELPER Fish Fries. He delivered the eulogy at Dad's service.
May he rest in Peace where the Snook are plentiful.
Steve and Chris Jones
July 23, 2012
My family and I are very sorry for your loss. I have great memories from diving in the bahamas, fishing in Flamingo and camping at Sebastian with Bill. All of them enjoyable!! He had a great passion for the water. I've always admired his generosity and he will be missed!!!
In prayer,
Jerry and Trish Catoe
July 23, 2012
So sorry to hear the sad news. Bill was a bigger-than-life old school fireman and a genuinely good guy, with a great heart. He will be missed by many, and his family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Dennis & Pat Withington
July 23, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Bill. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cathy and the rest of the Krick family.
Mike Ranieri
July 23, 2012
Cathy, Im so sorry of your loss for Bill. As you know I worked with him throughout most of his career with the fire department and he always shared many good and funny stories with us. My prayers go out to you and your family as I know he will be missed.
July 23, 2012
Kathy and Billy - I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Bill's kindness and heart with my brother. He was there for so many people. May God receive him with open arms. You are in our prayers. Debbie & Denny Hashagen
July 23, 2012
Dear Cathy and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about Bill. This is such a shock. Our prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family.
Love, Harry and Mary Dahl
Tom Ellis
July 23, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's death. My prayers go out to his family
Debby Dolezar
July 23, 2012
Cathy, Billy and Alma,
I am so terribly sorry to hear of Bill's passing. It is impossible for me to believe, so I can only imagine what you must be feeling. As Patty said, Bill was always such a strong swimmer and had done so his entire life. I pray that God will give you all the strength to deal with this senseless loss. Maybe you will find some comfort in knowing he was doing something he always loved so much. I will keep you in my prayers.
Tony and Candi Giambatista
July 23, 2012
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our deepest sympathy to your family.
Bill Henderson
July 22, 2012
Cathy,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's death. My wife, Bobbie, and I will be praying for you and Billy. Again, I am so sorry.
Timothy Cook
July 22, 2012
Bill was one of the most giving people that I have ever known. When someone at the FD or just someone that he had crossed paths with was down and out or ill Bill was the first to help. Sometimes it was putting together a fundraiser or just lending a helping hand but he could never do enough to help if you needed it. He taught me a great deal about giving and about life, he loved to tell stories and I learned something from each one. His relationship with Cathy is one we should all emulate. I will miss you and your wit dearly.
Bob Boike
July 22, 2012
It was an honor and privilege to have served with Bill over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with Bill's family and close friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Bob Boike
Bob Atchison
July 22, 2012
We are so shocked and sad to hear of Bill's accident. Bob worked with Bill for years at WPBFD. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Bonnie & Bob Atchison , Tn
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