William Thomas (Bill) Pope, born on March 25th, 1924, passed away peacefully on February 2nd, 2018 at the New York State Veteran’s Home in Oxford where he resided for the past seven years.

Bill was born in Ramsey, Illinois, the second son of the late Joseph and Josie Pope. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother, Robert and his beloved wife, Ana. Survivors include his older brother, Myrlin Pope, of Chicago, Illinois; his twin sisters, Patty Frazer, of Glenview, Illinois; and Peggy and Don Sandin, of St. Petersburg, Florida; his niece, Peggy Fairley and great-niece, Dru Fairley, of Glenview, Illinois; his nephews, David Frazer, of Phoenix, Arizona; Mark, Matthew and Chris Pope, of Chicago, Illinois.

Following his graduation from Soldan High School in St. Louis, Missouri, Bill joined the US Army Air Force and served in the military for the duration of World War II. He flew 24 missions over Japan in B29’s as a radio man and tail gunner, receiving a purple heart as well as other medals.

During the war, many entertainers travelled overseas to entertain the troops and on one occasion, Rita Hayward was on stage and Bill danced with her, marking the beginning of a lifelong friendship. She encouraged him upon his return to New York to pursue his lifetime dream of a career in the theater.

Bill went on to have a successful career in the theater as a dancer and actor, appearing with Florence Henderson in the Broadway hit “Fanny”, forming another long lasting friendship.

He performed in several other plays both on and off Broadway. Bill started a dance studio in New York City with Jack Kelly, brother of well-known dancer, Gene Kelly, and he taught Rita Haywards’ two daughters to dance.

He appeared on the Milton Berle Show in the 1950’s and performed at Billy Rose’s Diamond Horseshoe Club. During this time, Bill also earned his undergraduate degree from Columbia University and his Master’s Degree in Romance Languages from New York University.

Bill was fluent in French, Italian and Spanish but was always trying to improve. He went to Italy and spent time there teaching English to Italian pilots. Bill performed on stage and in film in Italy as a singer and dancer and also composed music in Italian. He attended the University of Mexico to study drama. Bill wrote numerous songs in several languages and had one published. He is listed in the American Society of Composers and Publishers. He also wrote several plays and a few novels.

Bill taught Spanish English and Speech in New York City public schools and retired from there. He married his beloved Ana Fulgencio in 1978 in New York City and came to Guilford for summers before moving there permanently. Sadly, Ana passed away in 1999, a loss Bill felt for the rest of his life.

Bill returned to teaching in Norwich from 1997 – 2006. Much loved and respected by his students, when out shopping in Norwich it was common to be stopped by past students calling out “Hello Mr. Pope!” He never forgot a name and other pertinent information about all the people he knew. Several former students went to work at the Veteran’s Home in Oxford and “Mr. Pope” would greet them by name and ask about their family members.

In 1975, Bill became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, He was very active in the door to door ministry, spreading the Good News of God’s Kingdom until entering the Veteran’s Home where he continued to spread Bible truths.

He looked forward to the promise of a world without pain and suffering. Bill was a gracious and generous man who helped many people over the years and he will be greatly missed by young and old alike.

A brief memorial service for Bill will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 12, at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 5250 State Highway 12, Norwich followed by a reception at the Guernsey Memorial Library Meeting Room, 3 Court St. Norwich from 2:30 – 6:00 pm. Arrangements have been entrusted to R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.