It is with great sorrow that our family announces the death of William D. Kleppel, who passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the age of 80 in Boynton Beach, Florida. Beloved husband to Barbara for 33 years; father to Cindy and Bill; "Dad" to Karen; stepfather to Felicia and Barry (wife Sarah); grandfather to Zoe; brother to Robert; brother in-law to Shernette; uncle to Kris (husband Aston), and Justin, and Jessica; great uncle to Chloe and Jayda; and dear friend to many—he will be eternally loved and greatly missed.

"Bill" was born on February 4, 1942, in New York, the oldest son of the late William P. and Gertrude Kleppel. He had countless fond memories of growing up with his younger brother "Bob" in Richmond Hill, learning how to be handy from his father and how to cook and bake from his mother.

After serving 57 months active duty in the U.S. Air Force with distinction as a Ground to Air Radio Operator in Okinawa, Bill joined The New York Police Department (NYPD), where he began as a uniformed patrol officer, rising quickly to the rank of Detective Investigator, and eventually becoming a highly respected leader of his squad team.

During his distinguished career, he became a successful investigator due to his vast experience,  extensive training and natural talent for observation and analysis. Due to his expertise on organized crime, drug trafficking, arson and explosions, and hostage negotiation, he became a much sought after witness in court and a popular public speaker with school groups, police departments, and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Before he retired from the NYPD with distinction, he received numerous divisional, bureau, and departmental commendations and letters of appreciation over the course of his career. Upon moving to Florida, he continued to serve the public admirably as a crime scene investigator for the Boynton Beach Police Department.

During his earlier years, Bill served as Lieutenant and Captain of The Independent Hose Company #6 for the Ossining, New York Volunteer Fire Department; loved fishing with friends and family in the lakes and reservoirs of Westchester and Putnam Counties; and enjoyed long bike rides over the Croton Dam and past the Teatown Lake Reservation.

He took pride in cheering on his son, "Billy", during his many little league baseball games. Bill also coached his daughter, Cindy, on both her soccer and softball teams and enjoyed teaching her how to bake Christmas cookies and pies at holiday time. He was a pillar of the community, involved in various volunteer activities and beloved by everyone who knew him.

Later in life, Bill developed a passion for meticulously constructing extensive, complex and highly realistic model train dioramas—complete with cityscapes, neighborhoods, mountains, forests, street scenes, bridges, depots, industry, housing, etc.—all teeming with life represented in miniature. He also thoroughly enjoyed cooking and baking; traveling around the globe and following his favorite Italian soccer team, A.C. Milan with his wife Barbara; listening to Frank Sinatra and the doo-wop music of his youth; taking and developing photographs; spending precious time with his children, stepchildren, family and friends; and making cherished memories with his only grandchild, Zoe.

Even though coronary disease took him away from this world, ironically, Bill will be remembered for his big, generous, and loving heart.

Friends and family are invited to attend Bill's funeral service on August 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Boynton Memorial Chapel, 800 W. Boynton Beach Boulevard, Boynton Beach, Florida.