William O. Treacy

William Owen Treacy (Bill) passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 28, 2024, at the age of 97.

Bill was born in 1926 in Oakland, Maryland, the youngest of seven children. His older brothers and sisters were Jim, John (Jack), Estelle (Sisser), Mary (Mamie), Leo, and Maurice (Casey). Bill grew up during the Great Depression and WWII. In 1944, he told a little white lie about his age to join the US Navy to fight in WWII- together with all his brothers. He served as a radio/radar operator on PBY Catalina flying boats. When discharged, he used the GI Bill to study law at the University of Maryland, where he became a lawyer (and a lifelong Terp).

He returned to Oakland to practice law, where he married Mary Ruth Marsh. They raised a family of four, three sons and one daughter.

Bill joined the military again in the late 1950s, this time as an attorney with the office of the US Air Force JAG (Judge Advocate General). He served for 18 years, with tours in Ohio, Hawaii, Turkey, Japan, Texas, and Northwest Florida, where he made his home, completing his AF career as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He proceeded to practice law in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, both as a public defender and a state prosecutor.

In 1996, he married his beloved Judy, and they spent 27 happy years together. During retirement, he learned to play the bagpipes and joined The Emerald Coast Pipes and Drums; he played at area Irish/Scottish events and personal celebrations. In 2007, Bill and Judy moved to Sun City, SC, and lived there until he passed on April 28.

Throughout his life, Bill was very proud of his Irish heritage, his father having emigrated to the US in 1890. As the keeper of family history and lore, Bill meticulously traced and documented the family roots and delighted in organizing several joyful multi-generational family reunions. He made several trips to Ireland, founded a Treacy Family Newsletter, and published multiple editions of articles of family and general interest. Bill’s other passions included musicals, good jokes, and the many birds and gators who set up residence on his Cinco Bayou and Sun City properties. He believed in recycling, fixing versus buying new, and his final selfless wish was to recycle his body for science.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Ruth Babbitt, mother to his children; parents James Patrick and Estelle; and his six siblings.

He is survived by his wife Judy; his children Patrick Richard (Joy), Brian Leo (Patricia O’Connor), Mark William, Andrea Libby (Nigel Elliott); stepchildren Samantha Dawson (Greg), Tucker Handley; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family expresses their gratitude for the caregivers who supported Bill in his last few months of life, with special appreciation for the compassion shown by Jeff, Jennifer, Matthew, Leigh, and Sheila of Amedisys Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amedisys Hospice or Smile Train.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 10 at 1:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Savannah, GA.