William Joseph Degrace, Ii

Garner- Mr. William Joseph DeGrace II, 33, passed away July 5, 2013 in Garner, NC. He was born on December 23, 1979 in Tampa, FL, lived in Garner for 7 years, and was an Operations Manager at Baker Roofing Company/Renewable Energy Division of Raleigh, NC for 5 years. William obtained his NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification along with several recognitions including the National Roofing Contractors Association MVP Award in 2011. He was most proud of his solar projects at the Boeing facility in Charleston, SC and Holy Cross Anglican School which serves more than 500 K-8 students in San Mateo, Belize. After graduating high school in Altus, OK, William proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. William, Will, or Billy depending on how you knew him was loved by everyone because of his humor and wit, hard work, giving nature, humility and much more. He had the most amazing and genuine soul. Most every weekend you would find Billy at the lake with his pontoon boat cat fishing or wake boarding. But his most important hobby was customizing his Harley Davidson Nightster. He got so much joy from riding with friends around town, in the mountains, and at the beach. If you knew Billy, music was always present from his acoustic guitar sessions at his home to the various small bands he played with throughout his life. There was always music. Billy and his wife loved to travel. Places visited include the east coast from FL to NJ, the NC Mountains, Las Vegas, Italy, Sicily, Ireland, Belize, various Caribbean & Aeolian islands with their favorites being Aruba and Lipari. Survivors include his wife of 4 years, Katie DeGrace of Garner; parents, Michelle and Mike van Dongen of Weilerbach, Germany; father, William DeGrace of Sidney, NY; grandmothers, Mary I. Kibler of Tampa, FL and Naomi Jean Smith of Olympia, WA; mother and father in-law: Karen and Tony Chiotakis of Cary, NC; and mother & father-in-law, Kathy and Barry Gregory of Angier, NC. Survivors also include his aunts and uncles, Diann and Greg DeBaggis of Parker, CO; Mark Kibler of Tampa, FL; Clifford and Patricia DeGrace of Sidney, NY; Cousin, Stephen French of Cary, NC; Niece and Nephew Shalest and Michael Parrish of Sebastian, FL Brother in-laws Nicholas Chiotakis of Cary, NC and Brent Parrish of Sebastian, FL. Along with beloved extended aunts, uncles, and cousins, including the Brooks, Bulloch, Chiotakis, Mumford, Leo, and Sears families of AZ, NC, TN, and WA. He was preceded in death by his sister Jessica Lynn Parrish & both of his grandfathers, Conrad W. Kibler and Clifford DeGrace and grandmother, Velma DeGrace. SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held on July 12, 2013 at 11:00am, at Harris Lake County Park, Longleaf Shelter; 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill, NC 27562. Arrangements by Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes of Garner, NC. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warriors Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org. Click the Make a Gift In Honor or Memory of link, and submit your donation on behalf of William Joseph DeGrace II.