WILLIAM E. DEMPSTER, SATELLITE BEACH

William Edmund Dempster, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, October 18, 2008 at William Childs Hospice in Palm Bay, FL.

"Bill" was an Honored World War II veteran that participated in all three World War II "Campaigns". Following his service to his country, he attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering. To his final day, he was a proud "Georgia Tech" alumnae.

In the late 50s, during the space programs infancy, he joined Chrysler Corporation and the team at the Redstone Arsenal in Hunstville, AL. In 1963 he was relocated to the now Kennedy Space Center (then referred to as Cape Kennedy), and was instrumental in the success of the Gemini, Apollo, Apollo/ Soyuz, Skylab, and the space shuttle missions. He received numerous accolades and accommodations, but was best known for how he treated his co-workers.

When he decided to retire after the death of his first wife, Joanne Carroll Dempster, his work did not stop. He tirelessly volunteered for the betterment of Brevard County. His work with Meals On Wheels and Holmes Regional Medical Center earned him the honor of Brevard County Volunteer of the Year in the early nineties. His passions were golf, and college football, but most of all, his family.

"Daddy Bill" is survived by his loving wife, Mary Billups Dempster; his children, Jeff (Patty) Dempster, Carol (Albert Underwood), Terrri (Jodie Burris) and Clay (Joanne) Dempster; grandchildren, Terri Dove and Dustin Underwood, Alex, Jordan and Taylor Mitz, Max and Sam Dempster; great- grandchildren, Alexus and Shea Peyton, and Khaner Mitz; on the Billups side, by Christine Keller, Jason Billups (great-grandson, Tayor), Andy and Brian Creel. He loved all without conditions. From your family "Daddy Bill". D.A.D. Decent-noble, good, forthright Affectionate- always loving, never trite Devoted-the most devoted father, son, and husband in the world.

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, October 24th, at Florida Memorial Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, October 25th, in the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the William Childs Hospice House, 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907.