William Leo Dwyer

Bill was born in Syracuse, New York on August 7th, 1933, a son to William L. Dwyer and Mary Ellen (Gasser) Dwyer. He grew up in upstate NY and attended Clarkson College pursuing a Civil Engineering degree, but Bill always wanted to be a pilot and entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program in 1955. After completion of flight training in Pensacola, Fl. and Memphis TN., he was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1957, becoming a USN F4 Phantom Fighter Pilot. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served multiple tours on multiple aircraft carriers in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Bill finished his career as a Captain and Chief of Staff at AIRLANT, completing 32 years of military service. Bill was especially proud of his Irish Heritage and was a devout Roman Catholic. His passions were College Football, College Basketball, snow skiing, world travel, and family vacations at his lake house in North Carolina.

Bill is predeceased by his wife, Helen “Midge” Dwyer, they were married for 51 years. He is also predeceased by his sister, Barbara Anne Dwyer and brother-in-law Tim Bell, both of Ogdensburg NY. Surviving are his two sisters, Mary (Patrick) O’Brien of Port St. Lucie, FL and Patricia Dwyer (Tim) Bell of Ogdensburg, NY; Daughters Mary (Andrew) Uniacke, and Kathleen (Peter) Strandes, Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren William Uniacke, Chicago, IL, Robert Uniacke, Jacksonville, FL, Christopher Strandes, Denver CO, Caroline (Renato) Opacak, Jacksonville, FL and Max Strandes, Jacksonville FL; great grandchildren Luka Opacak, Oliver Opacak, and Vivienne Opacak, Jacksonville FL; along with several nieces, nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am, on August 16th, 2024, at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church with Father Matt King officiating. Blessed Trinity Catholic Church is located at 10472 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246.

Memorial contributions can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org

Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com