William Lee DiPaolo

William Lee DiPaolo, 75, passed away on Saturday, May 19th, 2018 at Wake Med hospital in Raleigh, NC after a brief illness.  Papa “Bill” DiPaolo was born on December 5, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to William Anthony DePollo and Adeline Theresa DePollo.  He was the oldest of six children. Bill attended Catholic Central High School and the University of Detroit. He graduated in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.  Bill married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Conrad, on May 29, 1965. They had five children. In 1973, he relocated his family to south Florida. Bill spent most of his professional working career as an independent contractor and consultant.  He and his wife put all five of their children through college at the University of Florida. In 2001, Bill and Dorothy moved to Youngsville, NC to be closer to family.

Papa Bill was fascinated by the planets and the stars.  If he could get you to sit down and chat for a while, he’d tell you just how small the earth is compared to the rest of the universe.  In his younger days, he enjoyed his whiskey, cigars, and trips to the racetrack. In his older days, he preferred to spend his time fixing things and working on projects.  He was a quiet and determined man. He treasured his garage full of tools and his numerous collections. Most of all, Papa loved spending time with family. In July 2017, he was overjoyed to attend a family reunion in Thomas and Davis, West Virginia, a place that held so many fond childhood memories for him.  While there, Bill was able to appreciate the stars, shining effervescently, high up in the mountains, away from our fast paced world...in complete awe and wonder. Bill will be remembered and missed by his family, church community, and friends.

Bill is survived by: his wife, Dorothy DiPaolo of Youngsville, NC; his sons and their spouses, Mario and Michelle DePollo of Raleigh, NC, Dean and Gina DiPaolo of Maitland, FL, Matthew and Sara DiPaolo of Jacksonville, FL, and Rick and Jenny DiPaolo of Durham, NC; his daughter, Angela DiPaolo of Wake Forest, NC;  Bill is also survived by thirteen grandchildren; Drew DePollo, Anna DePollo, Christian DiPaolo, Ava DiPaolo, Alexandra DiPaolo, Christi DiPaolo, Lexi Riley, Joshua DuPree, Joseph DuPree, Noah DuPree, Fiona DiPaolo, Chloe DiPaolo, and Finnegan DiPaolo.

Bill is predeceased by his parents William and Adeline DePollo, and by his son-in-law, Anthony DuPree.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in honor of Bill's brother, Gary DePollo. https://www.pancan.org

A family visitation, rosary, and pray service will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 405 S. Main St., Wake Forest, NC.  A funeral mass will take place at 1:00 pm on Friday, June 1, 2018 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Wake Forest, NC. Bill’s ashes will be interred in St. Catherine of Siena’s memorial garden following the mass.  A luncheon in the church’s dining hall will be provided.
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