William “Bill” Saxton
December 18, 1943 - January 4, 2021
William “Bill” Saxton, 77, of Rivesville, WV and formerly of Newark, DE, passed away Monday, January 4, 2021, surrounded by family after losing a 2-year battle with cancer.
Bill was born on December 18, 1943 in Elkton, MD to Elmer and Agnes (Eder) Saxton. Bill was a classic baby boomer and first child of a career Army officer, which took him to many places and instilled in him a sense of adventure. During his early teen years, he lived in Germany, where he developed a lifelong interest in renaissance experiences. At this time, Bill also quietly adopted a knight in shining armor as a personal avatar; this influenced the way he’d helped the many people in his life.
He graduated from Newark High School in 1962 and the University of Delaware in 1969, where he was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. Bill made a career through his love of teaching science and inspiring children through the use of technology and creative thinking. He retired from the Colonial School District as a school teacher in 1999. One of Bill’s pastimes was his captivating mastery of slight-of-hand tricks designed to break the ice or to be used as a conversation starter with those he met. He was a voracious reader of science fiction and had a love for Star Wars, Dr. Who and all other types of space and time travel content. Bill was a devoted father and very proud grandfather.
After enjoying several years of quiet retirement, Bill started the next chapter of his life in West Virginia where he was loved by many kind friends, especially Shirley Shaffer and her family. Whatever he did, it was certain to include humor, imagination and surprises which will be most fondly remembered.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Paula E. (Tobin) in 1989. He is survived by his two children, William and Agnes; two grandchildren, Amber and Emma; a great-grandson, Peter; brother, David; loving sister, Clara; and many nieces and nephews.
All services will be held privately.
Lara Saxton
Dearest ones, i am so sorry the loss of a very special person. Uncle Bill was a funny, sweet, loving man and we are all a little better having known him.
My love to you all
Lara
Clara Saxton
What a wonderful memory it is to have spent some of your last few hours with you, laughing, talking and enjoying the way you faced challenges with creativity and humor. I miss you dearly, but cherish all the good times. I am keenly aware that I just lost my best dance partner! See you again, big Brother!
Gwen RoBison
Clara and family I am so sad to hear of the passing of Bill. He was a very kind and truly a nice man. I will never forget our times together. This was such a wonderful obituary! God bless you all!
Joan Webb Musser
My condolences to family an all who knew him.
Fondly, Joan Webb Musser
Class of 1965 – Christiana High School, Newark, Delaware
Barbara J Kriner
Bill got me hooked on science fiction, when he would swing by and drop off bags of books. Robert Heinlein, Andre Norton, J.R.R. Tolkin. He was most gallant, and volunteered to escort this country cousin to my Junior Prom. Thank You, Bill
Amanda potts
I will miss him so much! He has done so much for my family and especially my grandma. He was always making us laugh. I’m sad I didn’t get to say goodbye. He has made an impact on my life from an early age. I will always be his little pink neck.
Jan Drury
Family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. Clara, I’m especially sending you my condolences.
Janet Allcorn Harper Wooley
Many years since I have seen Bill. Very sad to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family.
Vicky Shaffer
Mr. Bill as an amazing man and will be greatly missed by all that had the honer of meeting him. In what seams like so little time with Bill he showed me what is was like to have a father figure in my life and I was greatly honored when he agreed to walk me down the aisle at my wedding. All that meet him at my work will greatly miss him and his magic.
Laine Wilson
I did not know this happened Bill was actually a very good friend of mine for many years he tried to influence me to get my life together and now that I have my life together and stopped going down a dark road I was looking to contact my “uncle” Bill to show him that his efforts to help me in life finally paid off and never went unnoticed! He was a great friend in my life and I will truly miss him!