William Tiedeman of Wantage passed away on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Center in Fredon following a long illness with dementia. He was 78.
Born Jan. 31, 1945, in Hempstead, N.Y., to William and Evelyn (Eckhardt) Tiedeman, Bill spent his childhood in Athens, N.Y.
It was there that Bill’s fascination for flying began as he watched the crop dusters fly low over nearby farmland.
Shortly after his high school graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. While in the Air Force, he studied weather interpretation, meteorology and the use of weather detection equipment. He was far better at predicting the weather than any television forecaster!
It was also then, at age 18, that Bill married Holly Platz of Clinton, N.Y., then 17 years old. They were married for 60 years.
After relocating many times to build his career, in 1975, Bill was lured to Wantage for some acreage and a great school system to raise his family - but really by the call of the quaint Sussex Airport.
Flying was Bill’s passion! And not only did he build an impressive career flying commercially, but he had a small plane at the Sussex Airport and was always building one in his basement. Bill flew for more than 57 years before the dementia took away his love. He finished his career flying a slick corporate jet that he loved-and by flying it to every corner of the world.
Bill is predeceased by his parents, Bill and Evelyn, and by his sister Patricia Davis of Long Island.
He is survived by his wife, Holly; three daughters, Sherri Cecchini and her husband Lou, Michelle Clark and her husband Michael, Darlene Hull and her husband Michael; his grandchildren, Louie Cecchini and his wife Danielle, William Gebhard and his significant other Jess McDermott, Kevin Cecchini and fiancée Jen Rand, Owen Clark and his significant other Katie VanHorn, Tierney Clark, Jayden Hull and Andra Hull; and one great-grandchild, Louie Cecchini. Bill is also survived by his sister Nancy Tiedeman Masters and her husband Dale of Texas as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and colleagues.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Bentley Assisted Living in Branchville and at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice Center of Fredon. There are no words for their compassion and kindness!
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Private cremation services under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home, 27 Third St., Sussex.
Information and condolences may be found at www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com