A. William van der Meulen

Andrew William van der Meulen (September 25, 1923 – February 28, 2016) will be remembered dearly by those who knew and loved him; and those who did, called him Bill, Billie, Uncle Bill, and Ocean Papa.  A tall man with a big heart and phenomenal memory, he enjoyed reading extensively, coming up with notable persons, places, or things in any conversation, and sharing stories that were as varied as the places he lived and visited.   His birthplace in Dunkirk, NY anchored many acquaintances and relatives who remember fondly how Bill would visit and regale them with his tales, especially the family of his sister Jean (Dick) Anderson; and later he would do the same with friends and family of his wife, Alyce, who came from the Jamestown, NY area.

After serving his country in the Army during WWII, Bill graduated from Fredonia State Teachers College where the courtship with the love of his life, Alyce, began.  His college life included his starring role as a member of the outstanding 1942-43 basketball team, more starring roles in theatrical events, and a passion for Big Band music.  He followed Alyce to Long Island where they launched their careers as teachers with friends who became as close as family.  Their marriage created five children:  Susan Gibides of Auburn, NY (grandsons Jason and Justin); Peter (Susan) Van der Meulen of Liverpool, NY (grandchildren Jeffrey, Jessica, and Jennifer); Ann (Marvin Bram) van der Meulen of Geneva, NY; Elizabeth (Michael) Moore of Newton, NJ (grandchildren Rebecca, Katie, and Greg); and Wil (Michelle) van der Meulen of Spring Hope, NC (grandchildren Sarah and Eason).  Bill was well-loved by his extended family, including four great-grandchildren (Allison, Christopher, William, and Cadence), and numerous nieces and nephews.   Bill also greatly appreciated his sister-in-law, Helen Bryner, for her support of his marriage to Alyce and for encouraging him to take the thousands of photos and dozens of film reels that documented his family life and travels.

In the early sixties Bill and Alyce moved their young family to a rambling farmhouse in Central New York where they dabbled in the fresh air of green rural life.  Bill served as principal at A.A. Gates Elementary School in Port Byron, NY for nineteen years, having completed his Masters in Administration from NYU and graduate classes at Syracuse University.  Wherever Bill went, he forged friendships that lasted throughout his life.  During these years, not only did Bill proudly tend his growing family, but he also took great pride in reaping bountiful harvests from his large garden that sprouted some of the earliest peas of the season as well as killer zucchini and the sweetest of corn.  Bill played ring leader to a host of animals on his hobby farm that were viewed mostly as family pets…horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, chickens, a ferocious rooster, ducks, and five kids.  He still found time to learn to ski on drumlins, skate on the pond, dive at Duck Lake, keep up his powerful tennis serve, and collect iron banks and box lots from area auctions.

When Alyce was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 1976, they put their life plans on fast forward and were able to fulfill their dream of living by the ocean on Emerald Isle, NC for her final months.  For the past thirty-five years he interspersed beachcombing, biking, and dolphin sighting with dodging the big hurricanes and traveling abroad and all over the country, frequently to the Southwest where he explored kivas and canyons, including three non-motorized raft trips down the Grand Canyon when he was over the age of seventy.  One look at Bill’s den and you knew he was a huge fan of Native American culture and philosophy, and felt honored by the friendships extended to him there.

Bill’s life was an inspiration to many and a gift to those who were lucky enough to know him.  The family is especially grateful to all who have supported Bill during the declining months of his life, particularly the compassionate care given by the NC State Veterans Home – Kinston.  In accordance with his wishes, Bill will be memorialized privately.  For those who wish, donations may be contributed to the Alice and William “Bill” van der Meulen Memorial Scholarship at Nash Community College, 522 N. Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.