Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Bill (William) Stillitano, aged 74, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on May 24th, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on August 1, 1950, in Syracuse, NY, he was the son of the late Carmelo and Grace (Muratore) Stillitano.
Bill enjoyed the simple things in life and had a lighthearted, fun-loving, gentle spirit. He was a dedicated, hardworking man who provided for his family and retired after 30 years of service with Verizon. He cherished his family deeply, coached baseball when his children were young, and enjoyed gardening.
After retiring, Bill moved to Palmetto, Florida, where he embraced a quiet life of golfing, throwing darts, and soaking up the warmer weather and sunshine. He enjoyed gathering with local friends and loved listening to Tom Petty. His love of music will forever leave a lasting imprint on everyone who knew him.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Carmelina Stapleton and Rachael Osborne, and his brother-in-law, Donald Osborne.
Bill will be remembered and deeply missed by his loving children, Joseph (Heather) Stillitano, Jeffrey Stillitano (deceased), Matthew (Leanne) Stillitano, Katie (Chris) Bailey, and Paul (Denise) Stillitano; his adored grandchildren, Lucy Stillitano, Jeffrey Stillitano, Noah Stillitano, Mason Stillitano, Jameson Bailey, Elliana Bailey, Anthony Stillitano, and Margaret Stillitano; his brother, Thomas (Lorry) Stillitano; and his many nieces and nephews.
He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will forever be remembered for his simple, unassuming nature and the impact he had on the lives he touched.
There will be a celebration of life at 2 p.m on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Gates Funeral Home, 29 West Genesee St. Baldwinsville, NY 13027.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Stillitano, please visit our floral store.