William John Ohno "Bill"'s Obituary
William “Bill” John Ohno, age 71, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at his home in Millsboro, DE, with his devoted wife, caregiver, and advocate, Maria, by his side. After a rigorous, yet courageous, battle with cancer, Bill is finally at peace.
Bill was born on March 15, 1953, in Montpelier, Vermont. He grew up in Saugerties, NY, and graduated from Saugerties High School in 1971. Bill played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. Bill graduated college from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1975, after which he worked for over 40 years, as a Cartographer for the U.S. Department of Defense, and then NOAA in the Washington, DC, area. He retired from NOAA in 2020, fulfilling his dream of spending the rest of his life near the beach.
Bill was an avid runner and cyclist, who enjoyed these activities as not only a solitary pursuit, but also competitively in races, marathons, and triathlons. He loved watching sports—high school, college, and professional. You could often find him on the weekends in the stands of the local high school sporting events, supporting the upcoming young athletes and community. Bill loved staying active, healthy, and being outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, the beach, taking walks, good movies, and reading books. His favorite authors were John Grisham, David Baldacci, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, James Patterson, to name a few. He enjoyed receiving books from his brother Rich, and enjoyed talking sports with him every week.
In addition to his enthusiasm for sports and appreciation of the outdoors, Bill treasured spending time with friends and family at local restaurants and breweries and listening to music. He found passion and peace in playing his guitar. We will always remember him when we hear “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”—his favorite song to play—or any tunes from his all-time favorite musicians, The Beatles and Mark Knopfler. Bill looked forward to the annual college reunions hosted by his good college friend, Bob Casero, in his home. He called them Good Catching Up Times!
We will all miss his delightful guitar playing, his honest and forthright nature, smile/laugh, and his kind, sincere temperament. We will also miss hoisting an IPA or two with him, one of his great pleasures in life.
Bill (also known as Pop to his grandchildren) is survived by his loving wife, Maria, his beloved daughters Jaime Porter (William) and Lauren Gasher (Rich), stepson Mark Fabian (Rachel), grandchildren Brooklynn, Ethan and Lincoln Gasher, Aliyah Fabian, sisters Sara (Sally) Scannell (Jim) and Margaret (Meg) Lachmann (Bob), and sister-in-law Cheryl (Cheree) Ohno, nieces and nephews, Michael (Katie), Thomas, and Caralyn Ohno, Patrick and Elizabeth Scannell, Matthew Swart (Kassadi), Lily Lachmann (Eloise), childhood best friend Paul Piastro (Linda) and several cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Roy and Betty Ohno, his brother, Rich Ohno, and cousin Andy Towle.
Bill wholly loved his wife, children, grandchildren, brother, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, and the many friends he was loyal to and maintained throughout his lifetime. Bill’s family and friends will forever remember his kind heart, hardworking nature, and the joy he brought to those around him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. We will miss you Bill. May you rest in peace in heaven and give our love to Roy and Betty (Parents, Grandparents), Rich (brother) and Andy (cousin).
Funeral Service will begin promptly at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, at the St. Andrew The Apostle Orthodox Church, 33384 Mackenzie Way, Lewes, DE 19958. Burial will follow the services at Saint Peter's Pilottown Cemetery, 660 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958.
A viewing will be held between 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at the Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, DE 19958.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Sunday Breakfast Mission or Food Bank of Delaware. Bill was passionate about making donations to these organizations.
Sunday Breakfast Mission
110 North Poplar Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
or to the
Food Bank of Delaware
102 DE Veterans Blvd
Milford, DE 19963
Florist Note- Please deliver flowers to the Lewes Funeral Home on Friday Jan 3, 2025 by 3 PM.
Please note the cemetery does not allow artificial flowers placed on the grave site.
Only real flowers are allowed. No signs please, for they may end up in the water.
Please sign the virtual guestbook online.
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