Obituary for William H. "Bill" Sackett
Colonel William Howard Sackett, USMC Ret., beloved son, brother, father, husband, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, passed away at his home in Delray Beach, FL on January 15, 2021. He was the beloved husband of the late Ursula (Hogan) Sackett who passed away in 2009.
He was born on October 5, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA and was the son of the late William H. and Roberta (Cook) Sackett.
Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 to fight for his country and ended up retiring as a Colonel in 1975. He was a decorated veteran of three wars: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; his decorations awarded included: Bronze Star, Navy Commendation with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Bill’s service included combat and non-combat assignments in various parts of the world as well as locations within the U.S. He was also a designated naval aviator. Along the way, Bill completed courses at The University of Houston, Eastern Carolina State University, and the U.S. Armed Forces Institute.
After retiring from the U.S.M.C., Bill enjoyed a career as a weapons system engineer with RCA in Moorestown, NJ, performing in various capacities within the U.S. Navy AEGIS program as a Readiness Engineer and as a Special Project Coordinator from 1976 until his second retirement in 1988. After returning to civilian life, Bill turned his passion to the NJ Society of Freemasons where he served as Grand Master of the State of New Jersey from 1986-1987 and held other leadership roles within the organization. He continued his participation in The Masonic Fraternity up until recently.
Bill and Ursula enjoyed traveling the world, living in many places (a few of their favorites being Hawaii, Japan, NJ, and ultimately Florida), and spending time with family and many friends. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed fishing, boating, reading, and music. Many of the articles that Bill had written were published in various technical and fraternal publications.
He is survived by his two sisters; Idella Thomann and her family, of TX and Roberta Wiltsey and her family, of PA; his son; William Sackett and his wife, Deborah of MS; and three grandsons; Darrin Wizst and his wife, Jennifer of MA, Brian Wizst and his partner, Julie of MA and Kevin Wizst and his partner, Kristen of CA. Pop Pop, as he was lovingly called, is also survived by his three great grandchildren; Kyle, Sarah and Allison Wizst.
In addition to his wife, Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Evelyn Wizst, who passed away in 2018.
Due to gathering limitations, Funeral Services and Interment will be held privately. You are kindly invited to view Bill’s Graveside Service live on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 1:00PM. Please click on the livestream tab here at the time of the service.
Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.
He was born on October 5, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA and was the son of the late William H. and Roberta (Cook) Sackett.
Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 to fight for his country and ended up retiring as a Colonel in 1975. He was a decorated veteran of three wars: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; his decorations awarded included: Bronze Star, Navy Commendation with Combat “V”, Combat Action Ribbon, Purple Heart and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Bill’s service included combat and non-combat assignments in various parts of the world as well as locations within the U.S. He was also a designated naval aviator. Along the way, Bill completed courses at The University of Houston, Eastern Carolina State University, and the U.S. Armed Forces Institute.
After retiring from the U.S.M.C., Bill enjoyed a career as a weapons system engineer with RCA in Moorestown, NJ, performing in various capacities within the U.S. Navy AEGIS program as a Readiness Engineer and as a Special Project Coordinator from 1976 until his second retirement in 1988. After returning to civilian life, Bill turned his passion to the NJ Society of Freemasons where he served as Grand Master of the State of New Jersey from 1986-1987 and held other leadership roles within the organization. He continued his participation in The Masonic Fraternity up until recently.
Bill and Ursula enjoyed traveling the world, living in many places (a few of their favorites being Hawaii, Japan, NJ, and ultimately Florida), and spending time with family and many friends. In his spare time, Bill enjoyed fishing, boating, reading, and music. Many of the articles that Bill had written were published in various technical and fraternal publications.
He is survived by his two sisters; Idella Thomann and her family, of TX and Roberta Wiltsey and her family, of PA; his son; William Sackett and his wife, Deborah of MS; and three grandsons; Darrin Wizst and his wife, Jennifer of MA, Brian Wizst and his partner, Julie of MA and Kevin Wizst and his partner, Kristen of CA. Pop Pop, as he was lovingly called, is also survived by his three great grandchildren; Kyle, Sarah and Allison Wizst.
In addition to his wife, Bill was predeceased by his daughter, Evelyn Wizst, who passed away in 2018.
Due to gathering limitations, Funeral Services and Interment will be held privately. You are kindly invited to view Bill’s Graveside Service live on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at 1:00PM. Please click on the livestream tab here at the time of the service.
Memorial donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.