Bill Gay

William K. (Bill) Gay, aged 80, of Bethany Beach, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2025. Bill was a graduate of the City College of New York and began his career serving in Vietnam as a Marine Combat Engineer Officer. He survived the 1968 Siege of Khe Sanh, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with a combat “V” for valor. He continued his distinguished military career as an officer with the Army Corps of Engineers, contributing to various military operations and task forces both at the Pentagon and abroad that developed technologies to end the Cold War.
In retirement, Bill moved to Delaware, where he continued to serve veterans by renovating homes for disabled Wounded Warrior families, acting as the mentor coordinator for the Sussex County Veterans Treatment Court, and volunteering with Bethany Beach’s Operation SEAs the Day Warrior Family Beach Week and the annual picnic at St. Martha’s for J1 international students.
He will be remembered not only for his dedication to service, innovative spirit, and profound impact on many lives but also for his wonderful sense of humor. His ability to bring laughter and joy to those around him was a testament to his warm and generous nature.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Diane; his daughter, Sarah Stromberg; his daughter, Jenny Sisiam, and her husband, Virgil; two grandchildren, Virgil and Sonora; and his sister, Hildy Benjamin. He also leaves behind a large extended family and many dear friends.
A burial service will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.