Obituary of William Vonderlieth

William J Vonderlieth "Bill", age 91, passed away on October 6, 2023, at his beachside Cocoa Beach residence of 38 years. He was born September 13, 1932, in New York City. In the early years, he worked in the family ice cream parlor in Jamaica, Queens. Bill attended culinary trades high school in the garment district, Manhattan, spending his summers as a lifeguard on Rockaway Beach. In 1955, Bill enlisted in the United States Naval Service during the Korean Conflict. Later, he was committed to public safety as an auxiliary police officer in Suffolk County, New York. As a devout Catholic, he supported his community, as he practiced his faith throughout his life.

Bill worked for Con Edison Energy Company as a high voltage powerline technician in New York City.  After moving to the Space Coast, he was employed by Pan American World Services and Johnson Controls at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the 1980s thru retirement in 1990s. As a supporter of labor union practices, Bill was a member of The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for decades. He advocated in the IBEW as a union shop steward for fair representation of employees, wages, benefits, and rights.

William is survived by the love of his life; his wife of 63 years, Joan Vonderlieth; granddaughter, Faun Holley; two daughters, Darlene and Diane Vonderlieth, and younger brother, Raymond Vonderlieth.

A Catholic Mass will be held for William at Our Saviours Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach on October 24, 2023, at 1pm. He is to be laid to rest in the church's memorial gardens, as he awaits Joan to join him.