William Centopani Obituary

 William Angelo Centopani, age 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Bill was born on February 25, 1932, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was the son of the late Guglielmo Centofante of Crecchio in the Province of Abruzzi, Italy; and Mariantonia Salinardi Centofante of Ruoti in the Province of Potenza, Italy. In a family of eight children, Bill was the fourth child born.

  Bill served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and was stationed in Albuquerque at Manzano Base. During that time, he met and married Stella Sedillo. Bill had a very accomplished career with the United States Postal Service and the United States Department of Agriculture, National Resource Conservation Service, that led to the family making home in New Mexico, Oklahoma, New York, California, and finally Northern Virginia. Bill retired while he was at the national office in Washington, DC as the National Headquarters Administrative Officer. After retiring, Bill and Stella moved to Florida before returning once more to New Mexico.

  Bill and Stella always seemed to have a home project going on, and there wasn’t anything they couldn’t get done together. They also enjoyed dancing and would get out on the dance floor whenever they had the opportunity. Bill liked to work on his children’s Volkswagens and in his spare time, enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening. During his retirement, he also became an avid woodworker and began to cook again, like he did as a boy to help his mother. Everyone would agree that he had a gift to cook. It would become a gift he enjoyed sharing with his children and grandchildren. Bill demonstrated a strong work ethic from a very young age and encouraged it in his children and grandchildren—but he also enjoyed life. He loved to have engaging conversations as much as he loved to laugh. He was the family jokester and was known to all as Uncle Bill the kidder.

We’ll miss his company, his laugh, love, wisdom, and encouragement.

  He’s awaited in Heaven by his devoted wife of 60 years, Stella; and his son Billy, who inherited his sense of humor and love of laughter; his sisters Lucy Panther, Marguerite Epifano, Rose Turco, and brother Nick Centopani. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Gina, who cared for him during his final season; his granddaughter, Sara, who is still working to replicate Bill’s perfect marinara sauce; and her husband, Ben; and his grandson, Sean, who shares Bill’s dedication to country and service as an Air Force pilot. He is also survived by his sisters Gloria Carbone and Josephine Penny Murphy and his brother Anthony Centopani.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the hospice team of Presbyterian Hospital for their diligent and compassionate care for Bill. He was blessed to be in their care.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 10:00 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1502 Sara Road SE in Rio Rancho, NM. Interment will follow at 2:30 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, online memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s.