William James Speidel

William “Bill” Speidel passed on to the next scene of his life on Sunday, March 15th, 2026. He had a six-year battle with myelofibrosis, a blood cancer. He fought the fine fight and took his last breath on the Ides of March. He wanted to go in his sleep, and that is what he did.

Bill was born on December 5, 1945, to Josephine and Randell Samuel Speidel in Philadelphia, PA. He was their first son and second child. They both preceded him in death along with his older sister, Irene Speidel Diez, who was the mother of his Nephews; Randy Mills, married to Kimberly Williams Mills and father to Christopher James Mills, Ashleigh Irene Mills married to Devon Lemoi and mother to Addie Lemoi, and Joseph Mills married to Emma Mills; Danny Mills father to Cassidy Mills. His younger sister, Kathrine “Kackie” Speidel Hill, lives in Wattsville, VA, with her son, Nick Hill. Kackie’s daughter, Pamela Marshall, is married to Ronnie Marshall. The two of them share three children: Travis Marshall, married to Kadara Marshall and father to Lyssa Marshall; Colin Marshall; and Lauryn Marshall, mother to Layla Marshall and Khi Marshall. Bill loved his family and wanted to remain close to them always.

His family moved to Chincoteague before he was ready for school. His father ran the projectors at the Powell Theatre and the Dream Drive-In Theatre when he was a little boy. This began his love for movies. At twelve years old, he began working with his father at the Dream Drive-In. He also had a paper route on the island, delivering the “Grit” every Saturday. He learned the projectors from his father at the Dream and eventually began a close to thirty-year career as the island projectionist. Many that live on this island remember him looking through the little window upstairs at the theatre.

He had a wonderful childhood, attending Chincoteague Elementary and Chincoteague High School. Many of his friends have passed on before him, and there are still many friends and classmates that are enjoying their lives here on this beautiful land across the sea with their families. They have always stayed connected and shared their lives with each other. That is the beauty of a small community.

In 1964, he graduated from Chincoteague High School and married the love of his life, Jane Aycock Speidel. The two of them raised four children: Karla Speidel Quillen, Kelly Speidel Lewis, Jesse Speidel, and David Speidel. All four also attended Chincoteague High School.

Karla is married to David Quillen Jr and has three children: David Samuel Speidel (married to Kristin Green Speidel), Indiana Michelle Quillen (married to John Lynch), and Savannah Lynn Quillen (married to Cameron Malone). She also has three grandchildren, Nathan Samuel Speidel, Carter Bentley Speidel, and Camden Ryder Speidel.

Kelly is married to Dean Lewis and has two children, William “Billy” Wayne Fox, II (married to Annah Brittingham), and Kristin Fox Sherman (married to Joseph Sherman). Billy and Annah welcomed a son, William “Liam” Wayne Fox, III, in October 2025.

Jesse is married to Valerie Gorsuch Speidel and has three children, Peyton Josephine Speidel, Logan Charles Speidel, and Jordan Quillen Speidel. Jesse and his family live on Chincoteague.

David is married to Kristin Green Speidel, and the two of them have three sons: Nathan Samuel Speidel, Carter Bentley Speidel, and Camden Ryder Speidel. They reside on Chincoteague.

Bill gave his children an unbelievably valuable legacy. He was a diligent worker and valued learning. He was always reading and researching back before the internet. This is continued by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In 1969, he began working at NASA, Wallops Island. He worked for several contractors during his fifteen years there. Bill was a computer genius. He knew punch cards, magnetic tape, and the days when one computer filled a warehouse. He was always amazed at how quickly technology progresses. Memory cards in computers used to be fifty pounds and about the size of a door; now, even more memory can fit on your fingertip. He continued to progress with computers and kept up with technological changes.

In 1984, he went to work for NOAA. He was the person everyone went to for answers. With no formal education, he was one of the top systems analysts until his retirement in 2008. He passed on his genius to his son, Jesse, who still works in management at NOAA.

Chincoteague has always been Bill’s home. He spoke highly of this little island and all the people in the community that he called friends. He was dearly loved and respected by all. He has shared his love for movies and pictures with the community. He has helped convert pictures and videos to DVD for the Town of Chincoteague, the Oyster Museum, the Town Library, and many island citizens that sought his help and expertise. He has also created many videos for Mandy Betts at the Sayler Funeral Home.

His health problems these later years did manage to slow him down a bit. He worked hard right up until the end when he laid down and took the last rest. He will be missed by all his family, friends, and fellow Chincoteaguers.

Memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Island Baptist Church on Chincoteague Island, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Island Baptist Church, 3380 Willow St, Chincoteague, VA 23336, or online here. 

Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc., on Chincoteague Island, VA. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com

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