William E. Killmer's Obituary
William E. “Bill” Killmer, 94, of Mount Dora passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 4, 2023. Bill and his twin sister Emma were born on May 11, 1929 in Fairview, New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Teresa “Terri” in 2017 after a remarkable 65 years of marriage. His parents, his twin Emma and his brother George also preceded him in death.
In 1946 while a senior in high school, Bill joined the Army Air Corps and served his country as an airplane and engine mechanic for 3 years. In 1951, shortly after his honorable discharge from military duty as a Sergeant, he and Terri married and moved to South Florida and began their family. He worked as an airline mechanic at Aerodex in Miami and shortly promoted to Flight Engineer for a 34-year combined career with National and Pan American Airlines. He retired in 1988.
Bill enjoyed traveling and celebrated family vacations all over the US and in Europe. His trade skills and creative abilities led him to build a 4-bedroom house in Homestead. A skilled and artistic carpenter, he built furniture pieces and toys for his home and family.
In the early 1970s Bill owned a Piper PA-12 airplane. He enjoyed boating and motorcycles and had many of each throughout the years. Boating brought fishing, water skiing, scuba diving and jet skiing. He and Terri crossed the country from California to Florida on their Honda 750 in1974 and later spent much time exploring National Parks and countrysides of the US in their motorhomes.
They moved to Brevard, NC in the 1980s for some well spent mountain time. There he converted to Catholicism and he and Terri attended Mass together at local churches for many years. Later they returned to Florida and settled into a lakefront home in Mount Dora.
Bill and Terri found great pleasure in playing music. He spent many hours the past 6 years playing Ukulele and harmonica, often times with his children. He also recorded YouTubes of himself playing tunes. Even in his 90s his sharp mind recalled song melodies and lyrics from the 1930s and 40s, along with more modern tunes. A harmonica was always just an arm’s reach away!
Bill is remembered with deep affection and will be greatly missed by: His children, son John (Jack) and his wife, Jackie, of Pembroke pines, daughter Deborah and her husband David of Eustis, and daughter Barbara and her husband Gregg of Lake Panasoffkee; His grandchildren, Jason and his wife Ginny. Jack's children with Debbie; Jennifer and her husband Ryan, Christopher and his wife Janine, and Jackie’s son Eric and his wife Zully. Bill's 6 great-grand-daughters, Savannah, Lorelei, Lily, Kate, Claire and Kiley will also miss him greatly. He will also be remembered and missed by his many other surviving relatives and acquaintances, and close friends Debbie and Paul.
A man of strong morals and ethics, Bill was an example to his family and others. He was a helpful, smart honorable man with a big heart and a sense of humor. His memory will live on in the people whose life he touched.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, August 10, 2023 from 2:30 – 4:30 PM with a funeral ceremony starting at 4:30 PM in the funeral home chapel. Bill’s final resting place will be Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL with his wife.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.
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