(William) Bill Staley
1945 - 2023
(William) Bill Staley passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 19, 2023
after a brief illness.
Bill was born on August 18, 1945 to Lena and Fred Staley and grew up in Wells,
NY. He enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1965 to 1969 on the USS Belknap
where he forged many lifelong friendships.
After his discharge he moved back to New York, and ultimately moved to NC in
1974. He worked for a number of years in the electrical supply industry as a sales
and office manager.
Bill always had a quick wit and sharp sense of humor that fueled his creative side.
That creativity and his entrepreneurial spirit inspired him to start several
successful businesses in advertising, screen printing and promotions.
He loved to cook, and won many local and state sponsored cookoffs for BBQ
and Chili. But BBQ was his passion. He created a cooking sauce (BS Sauce) for his
BBQ that was ultimately incorporated into several other products he produced
and sold. He blended his own selection of spices, creating a unique BBQ Rub.
Bill spent many years as a member of the Greensboro JC’s Oldtimers, serving
both on the board and as President of the organization. He spent countless hours
each year cooking at the Oldtimer’s hospitality tent, “rubbing butts” in
preparation for slow cooking his BBQ and socializing with his many friends at the
Wyndham Championship Golf tournament.
Bill was a proud Navy Vet and loved his country. When he learned that the USS
Belknap had an association, he joined, then attended his first USS Belknap
reunion in 2006 in Nashville, TN. He quickly became involved with the association
serving on the board and as President of the association for several years and
never missed a reunion. His dedication made him a driving force in the growth of
the organization.
He never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. Whether you were
meeting him for the first time or the hundredth time he always had a hug for you.
He was the life of the party, loved dancing, lived for socializing, and was always
ready to share a cold beer.
He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Rene Staley, daughter Melisa S. Moore; grandchildren, Kate Moore, Justin Moore (Tristen); granddaughters in Colorado, Amanda Aho (Mike) and Alliy Scott (Chris); great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Naomi, Aspen, Wren and Hawk, and a host of friends who will miss him dearly.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday April 6, 2024 at the Greensboro Moose
Lodge 685, 5031 Blakeshire Rd, Greensboro, NC 27406. Time is yet to be determined.
If you choose to honor Bill’s life with a contribution, we ask that you consider
supporting the USS Belknap Association.
USS Belknap Association
82964 Ash Lane
Creswell, OR 97426
Please mark your check In memory of Bill Staley.
Rene, there are no words! Bill was the best! So glad we saw you both at Thanksgiving! Our times together will always be treasured dear friend! You will never be forgotten and reunions will never be the same! Lori and Lou
We are heartbroken for you, Renee, and your whole family.
Bill will be missed at the reunions, for sure … he was such a vital part of them along with his spirit of fun (remember Capone’s?)
You are all in our prayers of comfort and peace.
Leo and Helen
When Darrell and I first moved in Lynwood Lakes, Bill was the first to greet and welcome us.
Best neighbors I ever had.
Enjoyed talks and laughter with Bill and Renee.
Heaven got brighter and happier.
Miss ya Bill
🙏
We went to High School together in Wells, NY. We would talk on the phone every other day. A true life long friend. I sure miss my buddy to no end. God Bless.
Bill and I served on the Belknap during the same period although I didn’t know him personally then. He was a tireless worker for the USS Belknap Association. He put in endless hours in reunion planning and newsletter production and teleconferences to name a few. He was always making sure at the reunions that things were going smoothly. When things didn’t go as planned he would find a work around and we would sail on. He was a great leader and always showed appreciation to the other members of the board. He was instrumental in getting the second generation Belknap sailors to join the association realizing that they are the future of the organization. The association will sail on but we are all going to have to row harder to make up for the loss.
Bill was a great friend and shipmate. Would always joke around. When we wanted to have a beer, we would say, lets have coffee.
He will be missed. Rest in peace shipmate.
Bill was a amazing man he was fun to work with. Teddy and meet Bill at the Belknap Reunion. We always had a great time with Bill. He had such a
soft heart we could always figured a way to make him cry. Bill was a great person to work with getting things taken care of for the Belknap and making great memories. He was fun and had so many talents and could figure out things to make us remember our reunions. His sauce is so good.
Bill will be missed by so many people.
Rene you and your family are always in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Bill such a good friend.
I have had the joy n privilege to serve alonside Bill Staley or BS as I called him. BS was impassioned to grow the Belknap Association family in many b ways. He personally staged the last 2 reuions and helped grow our Ship’s Store. The biggest thing though is via his humorous personality, he connected with dozens of new and regular Association members and their families. BS efforts will live on for many years to come.
Randy Bergstrom
Bill was a buddy to everyone and I will miss him.
I met Bill and Renee at a Belknap reunion in Tampa. They were awesome people. I bought some of his BBQ sauce and everyone loved it, even the grandkids. He will be missed.
I’m pretty sure that I met (William) Bill briefly, sorry that my memory isn’t all that, but I’m sure that (William) Bill will always be remembered by all of his Belknap brothers. I believe that he was a great person to know and I wish that I could have gotten to know him better. (William) Bill RIP my brother ,we have the watch from here on in. Calm winds and smooth seas my brother, until we meet again.
To a great SHIPMATE
Sometimes, if you are lucky enough, chance
brings about someone special to your life,
who makes you laugh a little louder,
smile a little brighter and live a little better.
Chance made us SHIPMATES but
the times we shared made us friends.
I’M SO GLAD OUR PATHS CROSSED.
Rest in peace.