William Guididas
November 22, 1956 – October 10, 2022
Bill Guididas was always there.
When a neighbor needed something fixed, Bill was there to fix it. When the county basketball team needed a coach, Bill was there to fill that role. When a coworker couldn’t figure out a problem, Bill was there to help decipher it.
Years ago, Bill’s sister-in-law was caught in a riptide while swimming in the ocean. She panicked, but Bill was there to grab her hand. He helped her swim in the right direction, all while repeating, “we are going to be fine.” And they were.
Bill was a steadying presence: a gentle and welcoming man who connected with everyone. He cared deeply, for people he knew well, and for those he had just met.
On October 10th, Bill “Billy” Guididas passed away peacefully in his home in Dunkirk, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was 65 years old.
Bill was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in November of 1956. He was the youngest of 4 boys, and the older brother of 2 sisters.
He graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s College (now University) in Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1978, as a dual major: receiving both a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. It was there he also met his future wife, Beth. They began a friendship that bloomed into an enduring marriage of love, friendship, and faith that lasted 38 years. He was the yin to her yang, and countered Beth’s high energy calamities with calmness.
He worked across several industries in New Jersey, starting in the management training program at a copper refinery in Carteret, and branching out into the nuclear energy industry in Forked River. At the time of his death, he had been working as the Assistant Director of Administrative Services at the University of Maryland in College Park.
In 2006, he realized his lifelong dream of starting his own business. Together, he and Beth opened a UPS store. Beth handled the daily operations and management, but Bill’s keen business and people skills helped their business thrive. The two were so successful that they ultimately opened a second UPS store in 2015.
Far and away, Bill’s most important job was being a devoted husband and father to his two children, Claire and Joe.
When, after the birth of their daughter, Beth wanted to be with her full time, he found a way. He got transferred to Pennsylvania where they could live more affordably. When their son Joey was born, he moved heaven and earth to bring him home immediately from foster care so that he could begin the important job of loving this new son that God had delivered to them.
And he did it all with good grace. His attitude was always “can do.” Sports, cub scouts, camping trips and vacations, his world revolved around making time to fill the lives of his family with these memories.
Bill had a dry sense of humor that was both subtle and quiet. At gatherings with friends or family, he was never the center of attention, instead wryly telling a joke to the person sitting next to him.
Bill loved watching Joe play sports, where he was both his son’s biggest fan and biggest harasser. When Joe missed a shot in basketball, he could count on his dad’s advice from the stands “Joe, it goes in the hoop.” If it was a missed shot in tennis, “Joe, it goes over the net.” Or on the golf course, “Joe, it goes in the hole.” Or if it was a field goal, he could always be seen making the field goal with his hands and mouth “kick it through these.”
He was so proud of Claire, who brought the joy of two beautiful granddaughters into their lives. “She’s such a natural,” he would always say. He would take every opportunity to be with Claire and her family. And they in turn wanted to spend all their time with him. “Where’s Pop Pop, Ajou? Where’s Pop Pop?” was the constant question on every phone call.
Like his brothers before him, Bill was an Eagle Scout, which led him to a lifelong love of the outdoors. His wife’s family had never once experienced the beauty of a simple camping trip before he “married in.” Before long, all the Homans were included in camping adventures-even his mother-in law joined in the fun.
Beyond camping, Bill loved being on his boat, MeAjou. Fishing, cruising, storms, or calm seas, he wanted to be on the water.
He also spent hours outside gardening, tending to vegetables, building stacked stone walls, or planting shrubs. Just outside their porch he strung five bird feeders and could spend hours watching as the birds feasted.
In the days after his death, one of his friends and family alike shared their love for him. “Bill was one of the good guys and the world was better for having him in it.” “He was a gem!”
Bill is survived by his wife Beth, daughter Claire Bringley , son-in-law Andrew and granddaughters Raegan and Remi, son Joseph and daughter-in-law Rachel, brother Ed and sister-in-law Mary Lou Guididas, sister Nancy Kinney and brother-in-law Brian, sister Jean Landergan and brother-in-law Tom. He is predeceased by his brothers Jim and Bobby. He is “Uncle Awesome” to more than 50 nieces and nephews.
Visitation
&
Services
- Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, October 14, 2022
11:30 AM
Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church
1601 W Mt Harmony Road
Owings, MD 20736
Contributions
Condolences
Sort Comments
Beth and Family,
Brian and I express our deepest condolences and prayers to your family. He is In heaven with our Lord.
We didn’t get to know Bill very well but Beth we truly saw all the love ❤️ you had for your husband. I witnessed how proud you both were of your children. I saw how successful you were with your UPS businesses and provided great customer service.
Beth, you are on our daily prayer list. Beth may you find additional strength during this very difficult time.
Rest In Peace Bill.
Jean and Brian Hickey
JGS church members and Dunkirk Md residents.
Ms. Beth, Claire, Joe, and Family, my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. I didn’t know your husband too well but I always saw you guys very much involved with the kids in school and at church. Your son Joe graduated high school with my daughter. Again I’m so very sorry for your loss. May God keeps his soul and give you and your family the strength and peace to get through this difficult and painful time.
My deepest condolences.
Sonia Jones and Family
Beth,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I new Bill only at work but he was always kind and willing to assist. I will miss him and my prayers are with you and your family. I just got this notice today so I’m sorry I wasn’t at the service. I would have been there.
Gordon
I just heard of Bill’s passing. I knew him over the years as a colleague at the University of Maryland. What a nice guy, very knowledgeable in his field and a steady presence in an often challenging profession. He will be missed.
Sort Comments
Beth, Pat and I are so sorry to hear that you lost your best friend, Billy. If there is anything we can do for you please don’t hesitate to ask. Our prayers are with you all.
Charlie and Pat Barry
Beth, My prayers are with you and your family. May God bring peace to you in the days ahead. Sincerely, JoAnne Alu
Beth and Family,
Brian and I express our deepest condolences and prayers to your family. He is In heaven with our Lord.
We didn’t get to know Bill very well but Beth we truly saw all the love ❤️ you had for your husband. I witnessed how proud you both were of your children. I saw how successful you were with your UPS businesses and provided great customer service.
Beth, you are on our daily prayer list. Beth may you find additional strength during this very difficult time.
Rest In Peace Bill.
Jean and Brian Hickey
JGS church members and Dunkirk Md residents.
Beth, Joe, Rachel, and Family,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. May all of the beautiful memories sustain you during these difficult days ahead and may his name always be for a blessing.
Ms. Beth, Claire, Joe, and Family, my sincere condolences on the loss of your husband. I didn’t know your husband too well but I always saw you guys very much involved with the kids in school and at church. Your son Joe graduated high school with my daughter. Again I’m so very sorry for your loss. May God keeps his soul and give you and your family the strength and peace to get through this difficult and painful time.
My deepest condolences.
Sonia Jones and Family
Beth,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I new Bill only at work but he was always kind and willing to assist. I will miss him and my prayers are with you and your family. I just got this notice today so I’m sorry I wasn’t at the service. I would have been there.
Gordon
Beth,
Our deepest condolences, prayers are with you and your family.
Leah Bennett and Family
Condolence to you Beth and family
From Ray Michelle Blair Jennifer Ashley
Kean
From your Australian friends
Beth, family and friends: our hearts are grieving with you. Billy was such a dear friend, many years ago. So sorry we lost touch. You will all be in our prayers.
Very sorry to hear.My condolences.
I just heard of Bill’s passing. I knew him over the years as a colleague at the University of Maryland. What a nice guy, very knowledgeable in his field and a steady presence in an often challenging profession. He will be missed.
I’m so very sorry Beth. Prayers for you and the Family.