Dr. William Thomas DeLeo, Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 in his home surrounded by his family and close friends.
William DeLeo passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Dr. DeLeo, a native of Stamford/Darien, was a graduate of St. Basil Seminary in 1959, and a graduate of Virginia Military Institute in Civil Engineering in 1963. He then served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Ethiopia and Libya.
He received his master’s degree in occupational safety at East Carolina University, and his doctoral degree in technology education at North Carolina State University.
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— an obituary from Wilkerson Funeral Home and Crematory
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He was a commercial and residential developer for most of his career. Beginning in 2005, he spent four tours in Iraq with the Army Corps of Engineers to help with reconstruction of the country.
As the vice president of external operations with the Leadership Institute for Learning and Communications in Greenville, N.C., he had a passion for promoting safety in the workplace through effective communication skills.
He was an active member of St. Peter Catholic Church, and attended several Life Teen Mission Trips with the high school students. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and coach, loved and cherished by all who knew him.
He is survived by his “bride” Colette Robichaux DeLeo of 36 years; daughters Erin Hogston and spouse Chad, Marissa Whitehurst and spouse Chris, both of Wilmington, N.C., Elise Coburn and spouse Mark of Edenton, a son William T. DeLeo, II of Wilmington; nine grandchildren, Breanna, Anna, Vincent, Audrey, Levi, Wyatt, River, Colton, and Avery, and a brother Jim DeLeo of Davie, Fl.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 2606 E. 5th St., Greenville, N.C. 27858. The family will receive friends immediately following Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Peter Catholic Church or the Community Crossroads Center in Greenville, N.C.