by Debbie Tuma
William Biase, who grew up in Montauk, died on February 14, 2019, of complications from diabetes. He was 61 years old, and living in Dothan, Alabama.
Mr. Biase was born at Southampton Hospital, on July 2, 1957, to Edna and William Biase of Montauk. He graduated from Montauk Public School and East Hampton High School, where he developed a love for music, and played in the school band. After high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corps., where he served for 16 years, including serving at the 29 Palms Base at the Marine Corps air ground combat center in California. He did tank and mobile vehicle research and computer work in the California desert, and after the service, he worked for the civilian manufacturer of the equipment in 29 Palms for 12 more years.
Mr. Biase was married and divorced twice, and after retiring due to illness, he came back to his hometown of Montauk in 2006, and then left in 2011 to move to Dothan, Alabama.
Throughout his life, Mr. Biase, who was called Bill by his friends, remained active in the veterans’ organizations. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and he was active in the Marine Corps League.
According to his friend, Jackie Howell, of Enterprise, Alabama, he also liked gardening, traveling, history, cooking, and his two dogs. “Bill liked to tell stories about growing up in Montauk, and also about all the places he lived and traveled in the Marines,” she said. “He also liked to help people, especially at Christmas, when he would donate to “Toys For Tots.”
Mr. Biase is pre-deceased by his parents, Edna and William Biase of Montauk, and also by his sisters, Christine Biase, formerly of New York City, and Carol Nye, of Montauk. He is survived by his brother-in-law, Joe Nye, of Montauk, and his niece, Meg Nye, of East Hampton.
William’s mother, Edna Biase, was a long-time and active member of the Montauk Community Church, where she was also known for baking her famous lemon meringue pies that William and his sisters loved to eat. The family also enjoyed swimming and sunbathing at the ocean beaches of Montauk.
Funeral arrangements are being done by Sunset Memorial Park Funeral Home in Dothan, Alabama. Mr. Biase will be buried at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Alabama. A date and time are to be announced. For further information, call the funeral home at 334-983-6604.
