DOVER - William Andrew (Bill) Gede passed peacefully at his home, Dec. 29, 2017.
He was born Dec. 31, 1937, in Washington, D.C. at Walter Reed Hospital, the son of the late Rudolph A. Gede and Bessie (Driscoll) Gede. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Robert Gede and Melvin (Jack) Gede.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sue (Jovenall) Gede.
A retired local businessman, he was a 1957 graduate of Towson High School, Towson, Md. For two years he attended Towson State Teachers College where he majored in Art Education. His high school and college years he was an avid athlete, participating in and lettering in track and field, lacrosse and soccer. He held the 1958 all-time high score record five firsts in the dual track meet for that year at Towson State Teachers College. In 1961 Bill enlisted in the United State Army and served as traffic analyst in Turkey and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1964. During time off from high school and college summers, and after his discharge from the Army, Bill developed a passion for the water while working on charter boats in Ocean City, Md. Every opportunity of free time, every marlin tournament he was able to participate, Bill was on the boats, usually serving as first mate. Taking him out of the ocean waters, his wife taught him to fresh water fly fish, and this became his life's leisure activity and led the couple to buying a second home on the Pennsylvania trout waters of Spring Creek.
In addition to fishing, Bill enjoyed oil painting, charcoal drawing, nature photography, and reading Civil War histories. Smoking a good cigar, drinking a good glass of red wine and spending time with family and friends rounded out Bill's activities.
Various community organizations he was active in included Rotary, Jaycees, Boy Scouts of America, coaching and assisting YMCA youth soccer leagues, Wesley College lacrosse and Caesar Rodney High School lacrosse.
In 1969, from a single warehouse on 621 West Division Street, Dover, Bill nurtured Wade/Gede Insulation until his stepping aside as owner-president in 2001. His company had insulated chicken houses to high rises. Wade/Gede Insulation had installed ceiling tile, rain gutter, fireplaces and windows. Fleets of Wade/Gede Insulation trucks traveled the shore from Delaware to Virginia to New Jersey. Eventually the company was sold, but a few trucks still bear the Gede name.
Along with his wife, Bill is survived by a son, Mark Andrew Gede and his wife, Alexis, of Smyrna; and two daughters, Stacey Lynne Gede of Camden, and Kimberley Sue Gede, of Magnolia. Brothers who survive him are Donald Gede and his wife Lola, of McLean, Va., and James Gede with his wife, Mary of Reisterstown, Md. Bill is also survived by three grandsons and two granddaughters, Stephen Campagnini III and his wife, Brittinie, Michael Campagnini, Nicholas Campagnini, Gina Campagnini, and Kendal Gede. He is also survived by two great-grandsons, Stephen Campagnini IV and Leo Campagnini. Bill will be also be missed by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Trader Funeral Home, 12 Lotus Street, Dover, DE 19901 on Jan. 13, 2018 where visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. where an informal service will be starting right after. We ask that all who attend Bill's Celebration of Life to please dress very casual. Burial will be held at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966 on Jan. 19, 2018 at 2 p.m. We ask all to please attend.
In recognition of Bill's love of Nature, his wife and daughter Stacey have had a 1/2 acre of trees reforested in the wild fire ravage forests of California.
Letters of condolences may be sent to www.traderfh.com