STICKLE, The Rev. William, of Colington Harbour, passed away on October 3, 2016, at the age of 92. Known simply as "Father Bill" to the friends who made up his Outer Banks family, he is survived by his dear friend, loyal companion and caregiver, Frank Zappulla Jr., of Kill Devil Hills; his first cousin, Helen Coen of Green Village, N.J.; many cousins of his Devine family, his church family and many friends. Father Bill was born in Philadelphia, Pa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Devine Stickle and William Stickle; as well as his much beloved canine buddy, Ali, a boxer he affectionately named after Mohammad Ali. Ordained as a Dominican at St. Dominic's Roman Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. in 1950, Father Bill became the first Roman Catholic priest at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., in 1959 and was the founding pastor of the university's St. Thomas Hall. In 1965, Father Bill took a group of university students to Selma, Ala., to march with Martin Luther King Jr., in one of the historic marches from the Brown A.M.E. Church. Father Bill was honored to shake hands with and be invited by Dr. King to sit next to him during a gathering before the march. Father Bill served as pastor of Holy Infant Church in Elkton, Va., and then St. Peter's Church in Richmond, Va,. in the late 1970s. He then served as hospital chaplain at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Va. He retired to the Outer Banks in 1996, but continued celebrating Mass, first at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, where he gained a strong following among parishioners, and then later in his home. Father Bill had a strong conviction in taking care of the poor and volunteered for many years with Interfaith Community Outreach (ICO). He also was a dedicated volunteer at the Wright Brothers Memorial for many years. Described by many as a courageous and kind-hearted leader who didn't hesitate to challenge authority to obtain social justice, he will be most remembered for his gentle and warm spirit, his devotion to God and church family and his unwavering compassion and humanity. A simple service in Father Bill's backyard will take place at 1 p.m. on October 15. His ashes will be buried near a cherished crucifix that once stood at his UVA parish, but is now in his yard. Family and friends are invited to share memories and refreshments at that time. A Mass of Intention will be held in Father Bill's honor at Holy Redeemer by the Sea at 9 a.m. on Monday, October 17. Father Bill's dear friend in the priesthood, the Rev. Peter Daly, pastor of St. John Vianney in Prince Frederick, Md., is currently on sabbatical in Spain, but upon his return will schedule and hold a Funeral Mass for Father Bill at The Cathedral in Richmond, Va., in January of 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders at www.donate.doctorswithoutborders.org. Gallop Funeral Homes is entrusted with arrangements.
RTD: Tuesday, October 11, 2016