William P. Tordella
William P. Tordella
Bill Tordella, 83, of Bemus Point, NY, passed away on March 21, 2025, at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, FL. Born on March 24, 1941, in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Paul Jerome Tordella and Mary Eileen Tordella (Ginther).
Bill attended Campion Jesuit Prep School in Prairie du Chien, WI, before continuing his education at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL and graduating from Regis University in Denver, CO, in 1962. Throughout his high school and college years, he excelled as the No. 1 singles player on each schools’ varsity tennis teams, showcasing his remarkable hand-eye coordination.
Following his graduation, Bill served his country as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Pensacola, FL. While in service, he was every senior officer’s favorite doubles partner. He later joined his father in business and operated Jamestown Flooring and Acoustical for 40 years.
On a personal level, Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He shared nearly 60 years of loving marriage with his wife, Karen Reagan Tordella, who survives him. He was a loving father to William Paul Tordella, Jr. (Laura), Paula Tordella Hawthorne (Michael), and Kerri Tordella Rygiel (Mark). He cherished his grandchildren, Emma Allene Tordella, Olivia Reagan Tordella, Dorothy Frances Tordella, and Thomas Robert Rygiel.
Bill had a passion for sports, particularly tennis, golf, platform tennis, and ping-pong. His greatest passion was bridge, particularly while in Florida, where he achieved the esteemed rank of Ruby Life Master. A man of few words, who never complained, he was a loyal and generous friend, known for his smart sense of humor. He also loved to cook and was particularly proud of his exceptional salad dressings. Bill loved Chautauqua County summers and falls. It was the little things that made him happy: playing a quick nine holes with Karen; sunsets over Chautauqua Lake; working a crossword puzzle; driving to Barcelona for a perch sandwich; admiring the fall foliage on a crisp October day; a Bills victory; or listening to Van Halen while “tooling around” in his white convertible.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, Robert Tordella and Thomas Tordella.
Cremation services were handled in Florida. A memorial to celebrate Bill’s life will be held in Bemus Point, NY, at a later date.
Memorial in Bill’s memory may be made to:
The Bemus Point Public Library, 13 Main Street, Bemus Point, NY 14712; The Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department, 13 Alburtus Ave, Bemus Point, NY 14712.