William (Bill) Bresse passed away peacefully on Saturday April 5, 2025, at Chatham Rehab in Elkin NC, after a brief illness. Bill was born on November 4th 1940 in Island Pond Vermont, the second of four children born to Ernest and Lucille Bresse. He graduated from Brighton High School in 1958 and was a proud member of their basketball team that took home the state championship that same year. He loved basketball best but was a fan of all sports his whole life. One of his favorite activities was golfing with his dear friend Ken Nocera.
After high school he joined the US Army and served honorably for 20 years. He served in Korea, Okinawa, Vietnam, and Germany, and retired with the rank of Seargent First Class in April 1979. He moved to Louisianna the following year, where he met Mary Elizabeth (Meg) Gillespie. They married in January 1981.
Bill worked in security for the Starks Foundation in Orange Texas from 1980-2005, then retired to Elkin NC, a community he came to love very much. He spent many years, up until very recently, volunteering at the Tri County Food Bank in Elkin, where he made many friends. He was also a well-loved member of St. Stephen Catholic Church.
Bill leaves behind his brother Tom and his wife Barbara, his devoted sister Margaret, and stepsons Rod, Bruce, and Jeff, and their families. He will be greatly missed by his many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his lovely wife Meg, parents Ernest and Lucille, brother Edmund, grandson Tommy, niece Elizabeth, brother-in-law Gerald, and his godson/nephew Scott.
Our family would like to thank his many wonderful friends from Elkin for their support during these final months. Bill cherished his family and time spent back home in Vermont but was happiest living in Elkin surrounded by friends from St. Stephen and other parts of his life – you know who you are. We also want to thank the staff at Chatham Rehabilitation and Nursing for their excellent care.
A funeral service was held for Bill as part of Palm Sunday (4/13/25) mass at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond Vermont at 11am on June 28th. All are welcome.
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