He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Mary Alice; his children, Chuck (Anne-Marie), Jerry (Kelley), Diane (Tim) Elliott, Dave (Barbara), Mike (Margaret), Denise (Randy) Bowen, Elaine “Lanie”, Patrick (Suzanne); 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Bill was born in Annapolis on June 10, 1934, to Henry John and Lucile Perry Dammeyer. Raised with his older brother, John, Bill was a proud Annapolitan his entire life. He attended St. Mary’s Elementary School from first to eighth grade and continued to St. Mary’s High School, where he was a standout athlete, playing varsity football, basketball, and lacrosse. He was inducted into the St. Mary's High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
St. Mary’s was where he first encountered the love of his life, Mary Alice Gibson. The high school sweethearts married on July 5, 1953, and welcomed eight children into their family.
Bill worked for the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) for 32 years, where he retired as Treasurer. Beyond retirement, Bill remained an enthusiastic Navy sports fan. He and Alice regularly cheered on the Navy football team and often enjoyed traveling to the Army-Navy game. Just last month, he attended a “Meet the Team” barbecue at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Bill was an avid tennis player well into his eighties. As a member of the Anne Arundel County Tennis Association (AACTA), he enjoyed playing singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
For the past 30 years, he owned and operated a firewood delivery business, forming sincere relationships with his customers and becoming affectionately known as “The Wood Man.” Many in the community remember him for the friendly chats on the wood lot and for the fact that he always had a dog treat on hand.
As a devout, lifelong Catholic, Bill was guided and inspired by his faith. He was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, where he attended mass on Sundays, prayed weekly in the Adoration Chapel, and volunteered at the Lighthouse Shelter.
Bill’s memory lives on in all those who loved him.
A visitation for Bill will be held Friday, September 20, 2024 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home 147 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 9 am St. Mary's Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401. Interment Saint Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s High School Tuition Assistance at https://www.stmarysannapolis.org/giving/st-marys-parish-and-school-giving or St. Mary’s Development Office at 113 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.
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