Westbury Village Trustee William Wise, 85, who oversaw the operations of the Department of Public Works, died Sept. 13.
Wise was a member of Westbury Village for decades. He started as a member of the Planning Board in 1989 and served until he was appointed as a trustee to the village board In 2006. He served on the board until his death.
Wise’s early life was spent in Hempstead. His educational years began at Prospect Street School. He attended Hempstead High School, where he played the drums in the band and was a member of the football team.
Wise furthered his education with an associate degree he received cum laude from Nassau Community College. He also received a bachelor’s in science degree in Sociology from Adelphi University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Long Island University.
Wise met his wife Barbara in high school and they married on Nov. 29, 1959. They had two daughters, Sherri Johnson and Wendy Wise Whitfield. The Wise family lived in Hempstead and later moved to Westbury.
“As a young family man, Bill was a true entrepreneur and continued this passion throughout his life,” according to an obituary on GinaMitchellFunerals.com. “On a typical Friday evening, he and his wife would host parties and holiday gatherings at their home. They were exceptional hosts where their guests enjoyed their company.”
The obituary, which did not give a cause of death, said Wise enjoyed golfing and watching the news, action movies, crime dramas and basketball and football games.
“He was a visionary that was instrumental to the planning of the Westbury architecture and development,” the obituary said.
Wise was a board member on the Nassau Guardians Association, on the board and support service for youth in the One Hundred Black Men of Long Island, a consultant at Career Training for Skills Technology and Occupational Enhancement and an executive board member for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement.
“His 35 years of service to our Village coincided in large part with his long career in the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, serving the people of Nassau County as a member of law enforcement,” Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro said on Facebook. “Bill was an active member of many community organizations over the years, including 100 Black Men of Nassau, the Westbury Republican Club and Committee and many other organizations.”
Wise was also a retired deputy sheriff at the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office in which he was instrumental in starting several programs including the GED Program, Printing Shop Programs, and Reading Literacy Program.
Wise’s professional achievements included being a lifetime member of the NAACP of Westbury, a vice chairman on the Nassau County Assessment Commission, a past master of the Zion Lodge no. 76, a past president of the Bethpage Rotary Club, a lifelong member of the Union Baptist Church, a member of Big Brothers and Sisters of Nassau County, a union management and labor relations specialist, a labor mediator and employment consultant and a board commissioner of Planning and Urban Development in the Village of Westbury.
He also received the Humanitarian Award by the March of Dimes and the Urban League Award.
The Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs said on Facebook that Wise was a longtime and dedicated member of the Village of Westbury. They said he was a “true leader” and known to be reputable, kind and heavily invested in the state and affairs of his community.
“He was happy to be a mentor, a role model, a great friend, and a gentleman to all who knew him,” the County’s Office of Minority Affairs said on Facebook. “His deep-rooted good nature and concern for others were only accented by his outstanding charm and character. A widely beloved and respected pillar of his community, may he rest in peace.”
Kevin Boone, trustee on the Village of Hempstead board, said on Facebook that Wise’s efforts in politics and One Hundred Black Men have “forged a lasting legacy that will inspire and motivate future generations.”
“Reading Facebook post comments about Bill echo my own impressions of the man I have known since I was a young deli clerk where he was a customer,” Cavallaro said on Facebook. “Bill was always smiling and ready with a good and kind word. He knew everyone and was seen everywhere. He was a gentleman, always dressed impeccably.”
Wise is survived by his two daughters Sherri Johnson and Wendy Wise Whitfield; three grandchildren Royce Johnson, Delano Whitfield and Dior Whitfield; predeceased brother Emmett Smith and brother Sylvester Wise; sisters Valerie Wise and Cynthia Wise-Wilcox; and nieces, nephews, grand nephews, and cousins.
Flags at village facilities were flown at half-mast last week in honor and memory of Wise.
The wake was held on Sept. 19, and the funeral was held on Sept. 20, both at Union Baptist Church in Hempstead.
