William "Bill" Geitz, 78, passed away after a long illness on Thursday, September 23, 2021, to reunite in heaven with our Lord and savior. He was a man of faith that persevered through all his difficulties until our Lord called him home.

Bill, aka "Bubba", proudly served his country for almost 27 years in the United States Navy. Bill entered the Navy as an enlisted service member and worked his way up through the ranks, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and ultimately Lieutenant before retiring ("a Mustang") in September 1989. His naval career sent him all over the world and many tours at sea. Bill enlisted as an Aerographer's Mate and spent most of his career studying weather and oceanography. He had a passion for his profession and loved forecasting weather for flight and sea operations. His track record for accuracy forecasting weather earned him a reputation that ultimately landed him in Pensacola, Florida as the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the weather detachment at Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola. After completing his time at NAS Pensacola, Bill went on to finish his naval career at Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, MS. During his 26 years of military service, Bill received the Navy Commendation Medal twice, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After a successful naval career, Bill went on to hold various leadership positions working for companies developing and implementing early lightning detection systems. He had a passion for lightning and designed, implemented, and trained clients on the use of lightning detection systems, many of which are used by companies all over the world including the PGA, Federal Aviation Administration, Disney, Hospitals, and many other industries.  Bill "officially" retired in the fall of 2003 yet continued to provide consulting services to domestic and international clients up until 2019.

Bill "Bubba" was a loving and loyal son, brother, husband, and grandpa "Grumps". He spent his entire life providing for his family and loved ones. He always put others first and made so many sacrifices, never once wanting any recognition, it's just who he was. In addition to his military service, he often worked multiple jobs to ensure his children received a Catholic education and his family was provided for. He loved umpiring high school baseball and spent many nights and weekends umpiring tournaments.

Bill was an avid reader and had a passion for learning, always challenging his mind and constantly learning new things. He loved doing the NY Times crossword puzzle daily and always had the latest and greatest technology….and even read the instructions! He loved to tell stories about his military encounters and all the places he had been. Those that knew him also knew his passion for politics and his love for his country. He was a fair and honest man who instilled this trait in his six children by living it daily.

Bill was witty, funny, loved to tell or hear a good joke, and had a wise crack or comment for EVERYTHING! He was famous for his "Just Checking" and loved to ask new members of our family if they ever played softball (inside joke). He was the life of the party and one of the best story tellers around and loved to make us kids laugh. He was our family's rock who can never be replaced. We are blessed God chose him to be a husband, father, brother and friend to those who were fortunate enough to have met him.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Butler and William Geitz; and his sister, Mary Lou Winkelspecht.

Left to treasure Bill's memory are his wife of 54 years, Laura O'hara Geitz; his six children, William Geitz (Angie), Marnie Fasanella (Bill), Charles Geitz (Kim), Amanda Mannix (Brian), Brian Geitz, and Katheryn Weekley (Thomas); his sister, Kathy Zott (Donnie); eleven (11) grandchildren, Christopher Oxford (Haylie), Madison Mannix, Lauren Mannix, Sophia Fasanella, Gianna Fasanella, Grace Mannix, Jack Geitz, Sam Geitz, Emelia Fasanella, Bryant Weekley, and Max Weekley; and 2 great-grandchildren, Preston and Colton Oxford; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held 12:00noon until the Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 12:30pm Monday, October 4, 2021, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with Fr. John Licari celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Bill's love for his country, the family is requesting donations in his name to Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) or a charity of your choice.

A special thank you to the people at Medical Center Clinic, Sacred Heart Hospital, Medi Home Health Agency, The Haven of our Lady of Peace, and Specialty Care Center for their loving care and support during his illness.

He loved God, his Family, and his Country and served them WELL!  Fair Winds and Following Seas!  Until we meet again Bill Geitz!