Bill Agrella, born William, entered the world in Fall River, Massachusetts on April 10, 1949, Easter Sunday. He exited this journey on Thanksgiving Day, November 23. He spent his 74 years giving everything his full energy, attention, and effort.  He was raised in a single-parent household by his mother, Florentine Laliberte, and grew up with his younger sister, Sharon DuBois, in Somerset, Massachusetts. He was affectionately known as "G," short for GDB, or GrandDaddy Bill, in his later years.

G grew up playing baseball, fishing, and trying not to upset the nuns, particularly Sister Mary Fidelis – who dodged his fastball once at recess. He graduated valedictorian from Somerset High School in 1967, earning an ROTC scholarship to Colby College in Waterville, Maine, where he played baseball and football, was in the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, and studied hard.

He joined the Air Force and went to Texas A&M for his masters degree in meteorology. There, he met Catherine Vance, his former wife of over 40 years. He retired Lt. Col after 23 years of military service. Bill loved to run, box, drink Wild Turkey, mow the yard, and follow the Red Sox. He and Cathy raised two daughters, Lauren (Matthew) and Elise (Josh). Bill was an invested and caring father. He coached Junior Olympic track and field for nearly two decades and headed the Asheville Lightning Track Club for many years. He also lent his meteorology skills to the Muddy Sneakers program during the years his daughter served as its director.

People remember Bill from all eras of his life as intense and outgoing with almost superhuman energy. He was ever-reliable to make an accurate weather forecast for any given date and time, which often contradicted weather.com. He was also known among his family for his innumerable lists on yellow legal pads.

During the pandemic, Bill looked forward to weekly "Elder Time" with his Brevard grandsons, Asa (10) and Elias (8). He shared stories of contracting poison ivy while chasing a groundhog at age 10, falling through a not-so-frozen lake and walking home in icy pants, hitting a grand slam, striking out in Little League, and learning to speak French with his Canadian grandmother. He Facetimed frequently with his California grandsons, Quinnie (5) and Alden (3).

Bill struggled with his mental health and Parkinson's disease in his final years. He met the challenge with his characteristic persistence, along with a desire to be young forever. He was raised to shoulder his pain and imperfection alone, and he did the best he knew how. His last few years were particularly enriched by his neighbor, walking buddy and dear friend, Sue Benson, and her cats.

Bill would have wanted to leave this journey running up a giant hill on a sunny day or watching the Sox win the World Series over the Yankees. Instead, he transitioned out of this world after much compassionate care from the staff at Valley Hill Health and Rehabilitation and Four Seasons Hospice. His family wishes him a beautiful journey to green pastures, and a speedy run around the baseline on a sunny day, where his heart and spirit can finally rest.

If friends wish to honor Bill, donations can be made to the Muddy Sneakers program at muddysneakers.org in honor of Bill Agrella. If you would like to be notified of an end-of-life celebration this winter in Brevard, please email laurenagrellasevilla@gmail.com.