William "Bill" W. Messick

Businessman and highly regarded boat captain and fisherman William "Bill" W. Messick died May 31, 2014 at home, with his wife by his side, after a decade of dealing with the complications of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a fatal neurodegenerative brain disease. Bill was born on July 22, 1931 in Cambridge to the late Raymond Willis Messick and Elsie Mae LeCompte Messick Boyle.

Bill was a member of the Dorchester County Sanitary District for numerous years, the American Legion Post #91 SAL, VFW Post # 7460, former long time member of the Cambridge Yacht Club, and proud member of Cambridge High School Class of 1948. He was also a past member of the Grand National Waterfowl Hunt Club and Ducks Unlimited.

Upon graduation he worked for several area businesses including Pennsylvania Railroad, Phillips Packing Co., Cambridge Wire Cloth and the National Bank of Cambridge. Bill was traffic manager for Chun King for 10 years until leaving in 1972, after purchasing ADHO, Inc, with childhood friend, William "Cueball" Parks.

In 1991, after selling the business to Waste Management, Bill was able to devote more time to his life-long love of the water. When not fishing aboard his boat "Alibi" he could be found in his garden or with friends in billfish tournaments from Ocean City to Cape Hatteras, the Bahamas and Mexico. He especially enjoyed transporting yachts along the east coast from New England to the Florida Keys and beyond.

Bill was also daytime pilot on the Dorothy Megan and Choptank River Queen at Suicide Bridge Restaurant until his health forced him to retire after the 2005 season.

Bill is survived by his wife of 49 years Juanita "Nita" Longfellow Messick, son and daughter-in-law David and Svetlana Messick and their precious son Dorian, daughter and son-in-law Michelle "Shelly" and James Delzell and Pam Wingate from his first marriage. He is also survived by his sisters, Kerleen Hodde and Connie Robinson and brother-in-law Glenn Robinson, one niece and four nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his oldest sister, Norma "Winkie" Horwath in 2009.

The family wishes to express gratitude and thanks to the staff at Pleasant Day Adult Medical Day Care, Coastal Hospice Foundation and Comfort Keepers of Easton, especially Michelle Lutz and Bill's devoted caregiver, Gloria M. Jenkins.

Following cremation, there will be a memorial celebration at American Legion Post #91, Monday, June 16, 2014 at 12 noon with visitation one hour prior.

In Bill's memory, please consider donations to Cure PSP, 30 E. Padonia Rd., Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21090 or Coastal Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802-1733. Arrangements are in the care of the Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.