William Stephen Sullivan

William Sullivan, 75, of Durham, NC, entered into eternal rest on January 14, 2026, surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.

Bill was a devoted Catholic who lived his faith as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He proudly attended Catholic schools all his life, graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in accounting. It was there he met the love of his life, Patti, and they were married for 52 years.

Bill worked for Amerada Hess Corp. in oil accounting, and they moved to St. Croix in 1975, where he worked in oil and petrochemical accounting at the Hess Oil refinery. Eventually, he “accepted an offer he couldn’t refuse” and joined Sullivan Advertising, started in 1982 by Patti. Together they grew the company, and thanks to Bill’s financial acumen, it flourished in the USVI and Caribbean for over 40 years.

His interests were driven by his family’s interests. He was President of the St. Croix Swimming Association, and President of the USVI Swimming Federation, heading a delegation to the Pan Am Games in Havana, Cuba, and the Olympic Games in Barcelona. He was a respected swimming official and invited to neighboring Caribbean countries to run their national meets. He also was a radio announcer for island baseball games and the Iron Man Triathlon.

Bill became an expert at Chinese cooking, earning the nickname Wok Man Sullivan, and his Chinese dinner parties were legendary. He expanded his culinary talents to include outstanding veal marsala, chicken parmesan, varieties of wings, and magical creations on his BBQ grills. He enjoyed fishing, and among his favorite catches were a 59-pound wahoo in St. Croix, king salmon in Copper River, Alaska, and this past July, a large grouper in the Gulf on a special fishing trip with his three grandsons.

He was an avid golfer and long-time participant in the Queen Louise Home for Children Charity Golf Tournament. He loved baseball, especially Florida and Arizona spring training outings with his family. He enjoyed being a season ticket holder for Duke women’s college basketball and Duke football. In October he delighted in attending a Notre Dame football home win with his granddaughter.

His hobby and passion was the financial field. Bill continued following the oil industry and market fluctuations, in addition to the world financial markets. Family and friends alike sought his advice and expertise for financial and tax matters.

Yet Bill’s world was his wife and family. He loved his wife Patti and they were a team in all aspects of life. He loved and adored his two daughters, Kelly Andrew of Naples, FL and Erin Naberhaus of Scottsdale, AZ. He loved and admired his sons-in-law Troy Andrew and Rob Naberhaus. He loved and cherished his four grandchildren, McKenna, Greyson and Callan Andrew and Gareth Naberhaus. Watching them grow and succeed in their own ways gave him immense joy.

In addition, he is survived by his sister Joan and Dennis Adams of Raleigh, and brother-in-law Guy and Anne Ryan of New Jersey, cousins, nephews, and many dear friends with whom Bill shared a special closeness.

There will be a visitation Wednesday January 28 at 11 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community, 11401 Leesville Rd, Raleigh NC 27613.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Duke Home Care & Hospice at Hock Family Pavilion, or a charity of your choice.