William M. Deichler

William M. Deichler (Bill) passed away suddenly and extraordinarily peacefully on the evening of January 2nd, 2025. At the time of his passing, he had dozed during one of his favorite past times, nightly streaming and binge watching with Judy, his adoring spouse.

 Bill was the last child and only son of William J. Deichler and Florence (Duffy) Deichler-Adams. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 1934, (a birthdate he shared with his father). Bill was an amazing man and family patriarch who lived his life with spirit and zeal rarely found.

 He was a resident of Hutchison Island South in Fort Pierce, FL upon his passing. One of his community friends recently commented that his spirit in ways was saintly with a smile that always filled any room he entered.

 Bill was blessed to have found two great loves within his amazing 90 years: His current spouse Judy (Schaefer-Pannullo), whom he married in in 2013 and his first wife, Mary Louise (Massaro) (the mother of his two children: William and LuAnne), whom he married in 1959 and remained married until her passing in his arms in 2006.

 Occasionally greatness arises from the most austere circumstances, Bill tragically lost his father (an NYPD officer) at four years old during the remnants of the great depression. To help support his family, from his late childhood through his early teens, Bill took on jobs such as shoeshine boy, newsie, amusement park ride operator, movie theatre usher and lifeguard.

 Bill went on to become a Korean War Veteran where he reached the rank of U.S. Army Corporal and served as a pneumatics (explosives deployment) instructor and ski instructor. Before entering the military, he had graduated from William E. Grady CTE High School in Brooklyn where he became professionally skilled in anything that had to do with electricity.

 Upon completion of military duty, Bill aspired to be a NYPD police officer like his father before him, but coincidently accepted an employment offer from the New York City Fire Department shortly before being called upon by the NYPD. As fate had it, firefighting was the right vocation. Those who know Bill could not imagine him being anything but a committed and at times heroic firefighter.

Along the way in Bill’s NYFD firefighting journey, he served in various capacities, including: fire truck driver, fire marshal assistant, coordinator of the fire chief’s quarters at the NYFD Command Center. He also attained his associate’s degree at the Farmingdale Campus of the State University of New York.

 Later in his career, Bill benevolently parlayed his firefighting expertise by winning public election as a Commissioner of the West Islip, NY Fire Department on Long Island. A position to which he was re-elected for subsequent terms and served for over a decade. His accomplishments as a fire commissioner were numerous. Bottom line, during his tenure the fire district grew sizably, better serving the fine suburban community where he and Mary Lou raised their family.

 Upon the point of his life where Bill previously hung up his fire helmet and retired as a NYFD firefighter and West Islip, NY fire department commissioner, 9-11 struck. Bill’s instinct yet again was immediate action. He spent a few weeks voluntarily at ground zero assisting on the recovery dig as well as coordinating the delivery of much needed emergency supplies and equipment to aid downtown Manhattan’s devastation recovery. Later he moved on (again voluntarily) assisting in 9-11 victim identification as well as projects to assist families who lost loved ones because of the terrorist attacks.

 Bill’s demeanor was captured in two nicknames which he proudly embodied. By his grandchildren he was known as Grumpy. This nickname provided him with a mock cantankerous façade with which he thoroughly enjoyed entertaining his grandchildren and many others. The other nickname bestowed upon him by fellow NYFD firefighters was Ducky. This nickname more fittingly captured Bill’s essence, that is steadfast, yet in the heat of action, dedicated and pleasantly calming.

 A few words which have been used to convey Bill since his passing are:

-PRESENCE: He was a person whose stature, consistency and commitment spoke louder than words. 

-PROTECTOR: Anyone who knew him felt at ease and safe in his presence. His children can tell you, anytime there was urgency in the neighborhood, Bill was the first to be called upon.

-HUMOR: Always up for a hearty laugh; it is amazing that instead of becoming jaded by the difficult details of his youth, Bill developed an infectious no-bars-hold sense of humor.

-SERVICE: Bill was hard wired to perpetually serve in all facets of his life, whether it was the citizens of NYC, countless family members and friends in every manner plausible, and numerous benevolent organizations.

A partial list of the benevolent organizations he embraced actively included: 

-NYFD Fraternal Organizations, including: The Stueben and Emerald Societies

-Many Firefighter and Fire Officer Organizations, including: NYFD Benevolent, Fire Commissioners and NYFD Retirees.

It really did not matter which organization, he always was ready to participate, serve and occasionally lead. He relished the opportunity to travel regionally and nationally, participating in countless professional conventions and conferences.

Regarding Bill’s interests, they are best summed up as follows:

-SPENDING TIME WITH PEOPLE: His Family, His Friends, His Community Members, His Fellow NYFD Retirees, His Poker Buddies, His Early Morning Gym & Water Aerobic Companions. This list can go on.

-MOTION: Bill was non-stop. Whether it was driving vehicles, learning to fly a plane or personal fitness, for Bill, “motion was living”. In the areas of fitness, he had been a skilled swimmer and diver early in life, and until a couple of years ago would start every day performing up to 1,000 crunches. The only times he did not crave motion were when he spent time on his inversion (head stand) device or his cherished nightly binge watching with his wife Judy.

-THE NEWS CYCLE: Bill was perpetually up to date on current events, as well as deeply knowledgeable of historical facts. His favorite news medium was Fox News. He was a Trump supporter but that never stopped his embracing all individuals of all persuasions.

Bill is survived by:

-His wife: Judy Ann (Schaefer-Pannullo)

-His Children and Stepchildren: William F. Deichler III, and LuAnne (Deichler) Pajor, Jacquelyn Pannullo, Justin Pannullo, (spouse-Amy), Joelle Pannullo (spouse-Rob), Jefferey Pannullo

-His Grandchildren: Robert Boccalino, Michael Boccalino (spouse-Alexis), Danielle Silva, Anthony Silva, Grace (Deichler) George (spouse-Justin), Zachary Pannullo, Caitlyn Pannullo, Kaito Pannullo and Mia Pannullo.

-His Great-Grandchildren: Archie Boccalino and Merrick William Boccalino

-His Generations of Nephews, Nieces, Cousins and Friends

Bill is predeceased by:

-His Parents: William and Florence

-His First Wife: Mary Louise (Massaro) Deichler

-His Siblings: Agnes Deichler and Florence (Deichler) Otranto

-His Nephew: Charles Otranto

-His Daughter In-Laws: Kumiko Pannullo and Alisa Boccalino

-His Numerous: Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends and Fire Fighting Comrades

There will be a Memorial Service for Bill on Friday January 10th, 2025 at:

The Haisley Funeral Home – 3015 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34947

Bill’s family will start receiving attendees at 3pm, with service commencing at approximately 4pm until 5pm. A reception will follow on premises in the Haisley reception area.

 Also, Bill always stated, when he passed, he would prefer less mourning and more celebrating a life thoroughly lived. As such, be on the lookout for an invitation to a party to celebrate Bill’s life.

 In lieu of flowers please consider the following charitable organization:

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: www.StJude.org