William Kenneth Cathey

William Kenneth Cathey, died on September 6, 2024 in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, at 81 years old. Bill, was born to William “Tol” and Lillian in 1942 in Fullerton, California, the youngest of three siblings.

Before graduating high school, Bill had moved 11 times and attended just as many schools. He always attributed his ability to talk to anyone from years of being the new kid and having to repeatedly make friends.

Bill went to California State University, Long Beach where he studied Marine Biology and was a member of the ACACIA fraternity. While in college, Bill got a job with Pacific Telephone, which eventually became AT&T, and the start of his 34 year career there.

Bill lived in Huntington Beach and Tustin, California, before being transferred to rural New Jersey. Due to the harsh winters Bill had no choice but to leave his pet desert tortoise, Turtel, behind with a friend. Bill, as well as the rest of the family, was in culture shock moving from the beaches of California to a house located in between corn fields in New Jersey. Even the clothes and terminology was different, but most shocking was the snow in the winter.

After 10 years in New Jersey, Bill eagerly accepted a transfer to Palm Harbor, Florida with Paradyne, a company bought by AT&T, and was thrilled to leave the snow blower behind this time. During blizzards, he loved to remind his daughters who stayed in the Northeast and Midwest, that is was 80 degrees during the winter and he was living in paradise.

In his 50s, Bill returned to school to obtain a business degree from Eckerd College. In 1997, Bill settled in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida where he enjoyed all of the access to the water around him.

After his retirement from Paradyne he couldn’t sit still, he taught seminars around the country for Global Knowledge, took up windsurfing, and volunteered at the rescue and rehabilitation Clearwater Marine Aquarium, finally using his marine biology degree and hoping to save the nesting sea turtles.

Bill had many titles in life, but his favorite roles were that of a father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He loved spending time with family.

He is survived by his four children Michelle Cathey-Casino (Murray), Gretchen Cathey (Dennis Jordan), Heather Thiele, Eric Cathey, grandchildren Blue Thiele, Logan Cathey, Cas Thiele, Harvey Thiele, Aidan Thiele, Max Cathey-Jordan, Hope Cathey-Jordan, and Tess Cathey Jordan, his first wife and mother of his children, close friend Shirlee Cathey, sister Helen Singleton, and beloved nieces and nephew, Jeanette, Lisa, Karen, Ann, Joe, and Keri.

He is predeceased by his parents and sister Evelyn Coppola.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.