Life story

" William “Bill” Thomas Setzer, 77, peacefully passed at home on Sunday, August 27, 2023 with his wife, daughter, and son. He was a free spirit, committed husband, and loving father. He inspired and taught adventure, courage, and humor. His love of nature, the outdoors, and travel was contagious. Bill was known for both his sincere storytelling and tall tales - the difference between the two was sometimes fuzzy, but some version of the exploit was always indeed true. His interests spanned sailing, scuba diving, camping and backpacking, astronomy, history, reading, chess, bird watching, and photography. His curiosity was limitless and his dreams were bigger than the sky. May we all aspire to dream as big as him.

As a US Army Airborne Ranger and photographer, Bill served in Germany and Turkey, including in the 5th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion, where his adventures we know about were the stuff of legend. After a written courtship, he married his pen pal turned sweetheart, Valerie, in 1973. They lived in Germany and California, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in photography from the Brooks Institute of Photography, before returning to various east coast states and ultimately settling in Virginia. In Virginia, Bill spent years working as a photographer and also as a professional diver and diving instructor (he started diving in the 1960s, became a Master Diver, and logged well over 1,000 dives). He also volunteered in Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

He and his wife were devoted throughout their 50-year marriage. He sprinkled their lives with adventures and outings to parks, beaches, oceans, and mountains. His children are grateful to have spent so many years with him, loved him beyond words, and have saved countless voicemails, emails, photos, and videos of “The Old Salt.” When asked to speak of his favorite memories of “Poppy,” his grandson immediately replied there are too many to count. But the skillful chess moves, stories of the constellations, and sea shanty lyrics he taught them will be sure to stick with them.

Bill maintained several close and lifelong friendships around the world, some of whom have been eagerly waiting for him on the other side. Over the years, he called more than a dozen dogs family - partial to large rescue dogs, whatever the breed, his love for them, and them for him, was big. He was also known to befriend a family cat here and there, and he enjoyed watching his backyard birds and squirrels he and Valerie fed regularly.

Throughout his life, he was a man who “rolled with the punches.” He advised his kids to do all you can, be all you can be, live a good life, have fun every day, and be kind to others (especially animals!).

His wife Valerie, daughter Emily, son Evan (Nicole), granddaughter Emma, and grandson Coleman, will all miss him deeply.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Ocean Conservancy (https://oceanconservancy.org/). "