William "Bill" James De Witt

William "Bill" James De Witt, Sr. of Tampa, Florida passed away on February 26, 2017.  He was 85. 

Bill was born in Philadelphia to Walter John De Witt, Sr. and Rachel Henderson De Witt. He attended Northeast High School and then Penn State College where he graduated in Chemistry in 1953.

After honorably serving in the military for two years, he began his career in research and development at Atlantic Richfield in Philadelphia. Shortly after, he met Joan Kiker to whom he was married for 45 years. Bill and Joan spent many happy years living in New Jersey where they formed life long friendships with their dear neighbors.

Bill's career took him to Ethyl in Baton Rouge in 1969.  In the field of polymers and olefins he held numerous patents for chemical compounds used in the oil recovery industry.  Some of these compounds can still be found in everyday household product labels.

Baton Rouge held a special place in his heart, it's where he and Joan laid roots and raised their children, Billy and Debbie. Bill loved to fish and could often be found at Grand Isle catching specs and reds with his fishing buddies. He was also an avid member of the 'Buzzards Roost' where he and other Broadmoor dads watched their sons football practice every afternoon.

After retiring from Ethyl in 1991, Bill and Joan later moved to Sarasota to be closer to their grandchildren and enjoyed many years of traveling and driving around in his convertible..

After Joan's death in 2004 Bill moved to Valrico to live with Debbie and his granddaughters and most recently to Tampa to live with Billy and his grandson.

He is pre-deceased by his parents Walter and Rachel, his two brothers Walter De Witt and Stewart De Witt and his wife Joan Kiker De Witt.  He is survived by his son Billy De Witt, daughter Debbie De Witt, his three grandchildren Rachel, Nadia and Payton who he adored immensely, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Friday March 17th at 10 am at Sylvan Abby Cemetery at 2860 Sunset Point Rd. In Clearwater.

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