WILMINGTON — Bill passed away peacefully at his home on the afternoon of July 21. Shirley, his wife of 71 years, was by his side.
He is also survived by three daughters: Kathryn (Jim) Cowles, Beth Maney Struckell, and Maureen (Michael) Boner; and six grandchildren: India and Charlotte Cowles, John and Gabrielle Struckell, and Tucker and Bailey Boner.
Bill was born in Waynesboro, Virginia on April 16, 1930, to William J. Maney Sr. and Mildred Raemsch Maney. He graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1948. While there he was Senior Class President, co-captain of the basketball team and was the representative to Commonwealth Boys State where he was elected State Attorney. He was also voted most likely to succeed. Four years later he graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a four-year member of the varsity basketball team and was co-captain in his senior year. He continued to enjoy the sport as a professional referee for college and high school games, through club basketball, as a little league basketball coach and as an avid NBA and WNBA spectator/fan.
Upon graduation, Bill received a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army Corps of Engineers. He was on active duty with the 2nd Engineering Battalion, Combat with the 2ndInfantry Division during the Korea war and attained the rank of Captain. Always proud of his service to the Country, he wore his Korea War Veteran hat daily with its Army Corps of Engineering pin attached. He always appreciated the fact that many who saw him thanked him for his service.
Bill had a 28-year career in engineering with E.I. DuPont Company. He and Shirley moved 27 times before settling in Wilmington in 1972. After retiring from DuPont, he obtained his general contractors license and enjoyed a 30-year career in the construction industry.
Bill was extremely active in alcohol and drug recovery, having served as officer and director on a number of boards, including a term as president of The Alcohol and Drug Council of North Carolina. He was responsible for helping to impact many lives and will be remembered by his good work.
He was an active member and course instructor in the U.S. Power Squadron and claimed to have earned the highest score in history in the celestial navigation course. In 2010 he was awarded the rank of Senior Navigator having completed all education courses offered. Bill loved the ocean, the beach and sailing.
Later in life, Bill and Shirley became interested in researching his Irish ancestry which led to several trips to the southwest coast of Ireland where they met distant family and actually visited the home where his great grandfather lived. They also hiked to a number of O’Mahoney castles with their daughters and grandchildren.
Bill and Shirley credit their longevity to many things including a strong sense of family and Catholic faith, an extensive AA network of friends, and wonderful neighbors in their Carolina Beach community of Oceana where they have resided since 2005.
The family is thankful for exceptional care provided by Novant NHRMC, Wilmington Health hospitalists and Trinity Grove Rehabilitation Center. The family is especially thankful for years of outstanding care from Wilmington Health providers Matt Janik, MD and Brian Webster, MD. The family could not have navigated this challenging time without the assistance of Lower Cape Fear Lifecare and the God’s Girls team of caregivers.
A celebration of Bill’s life is planned at Andrews Mortuary on College Road for Friday November 29, at 10:30 a.m. Guests are invited to the family home afterwards. A Mass was held prior to cremation.
In lieu of flowers Bill wanted donations to be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
