William Thomas Dagon

William (Bill) Thomas Dagon, 75, of The Villages, FL, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 with his beautiful wife, Karran (Babp) Dagon by his side, as she has been for the past 55 years of their beautiful life together. Born in Phillipsburg, NJ on July 13, 1941, Bill was the son of Agnes and Vincent Dagon. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Bill was a member of St. Vincent De Paul church and a former member of St. Timothy Catholic Church in The Villages, FL and St. Phillip & St. James in Phillipsburg, NJ. Survivors include his adored wife of 52 years, Karran Dawn (Babp) Dagon of The Villages, FL; son Michael Dagon (Dana Luke Dagon); daughter Michelle (Dagon) Green (Marc Green); two grandsons (Hunter and Connor Dagon) and two granddaughters (Kylie and Ryan Green), all of Easton, PA. He is also survived by a brother, James Dagon of Florida and two nieces, Lori Dagon Fellenstein (John) of Ohio and Pam (Dagon) O’Hern (Sean) of Rhode Island. Bill lived in Phillipsburg for the first 55 years of his life. Growing up, Bill, (sometimes referred to as ”Bunker” then), was very active in sports, earning his Varsity letter for football, baseball, and basketball at his high school, St. Phillip & St. James, where he graduated in 1958. He was active in school musicals and loved to go bowling. After graduation, Bill joined the Air Force and lived in several different places including living in Japan for two years. By the time he left the Air Force, he had earned the rank of Sergeant. Bill met his beautiful wife Karran at an American Legion dance in 1961. He proposed to her on May 21, 1962 and they married on September 26, 1964 at St. Anthony’s Church in Easton, PA. They raised two wonderful children, Michael and Michelle, and were very active volunteers at their children’s schools. Everyone who met Bill loved him, and his kids’ friends often referred to him as “Wild Bill”. Bill and Karran had a tight-knit group of friends that they called “The CAN”, which consisted of twelve couples who loved their monthly theme parties and spent most weekends together playing cards. Many members of The CAN were also involved in the JayCees. The CAN often traveled together, going on a cruise to Bermuda and to Disney World with their families. Other favorite family vacations that Bill and Karran took their kids on were visiting Mickey Mouse in Orlando at least once a year; the Grand Canyon; Washington, D.C., Niagara Falls; the Jersey Shore; and all of the fun cities in California including enjoying Disney Land, (with Bill’s highlight of that trip being able to meet some of the Dallas Cowboy football players at their training camp back in 1983). Bill loved his children very much and was such an amazing father. He was actively involved in Indian Guides and Indian Princesses and went to Father/Son and Father/ Daughter camp, as well as Family Camp, at Camp Hugh Beaver for years. He participated in Boy Scouts with Michael and supported Michelle when she was in the Girl Scouts. He made posters which he displayed all over the house when he was proud of his daughter for making the cheerleading team or before a competition. He volunteered as a security guard for numerous sports events at his children’s school, Phillipsburg Catholic High School (which was Bill’s alma mater, though formerly called SPSJ). He also played on an “Old-timers” softball team and was in a bowling league, for which he won many trophies. Bill worked for the Journal of Commerce for 35 years as an Advertising and Ship Guard Manager, before retiring in 1997 and moving to The Villages, FL. To those who worked for Billy, he was known as a very compassionate and supportive boss, as well as a friend. “Cute Little Billy Dagon” loved his life in the Villages, where he and Karran forged so many rich friendships. (In fact, there wasn’t a place that Bill went that he did not make a new friend, and in many instances, remained friends even though they were many miles apart.) While living in the Villages, he golfed with the Old Friends club, was a member of the Irish club, the Celtic club, the New Jersey club and the Lynnhaven Neighbors. He loved playing golf and was so proud of getting four hole in ones. Bill had many adventures over the years with his wife, Karran. They loved to travel, and enjoyed over 50 cruises together. They also enjoyed going to Biloxi, Mississippi often with friends. Bill and Karran’s most recent vacation included going to Las Vegas and seeing Cher. Bill has said many times that he was able to do everything on his ‘bucket list’ and that he had a truly amazing life. Poppie really loved his grandchildren and the feeling was mutual. Both he and Karran were present when all four of their grandchildren were born in NJ and PA, even though they were living in Florida at the time. They always came “home, up North” to PA to spend Christmas with their beloved children and grandchildren, only missing this past Christmas when Bill had his kidney removed. He was so proud what they’ve accomplished, especially when all four grandkids were inducted into the National Honor Society. He loved seeing his grandkids do what they loved to do, whether it was cheering at games and competitions, playing softball, performing in school plays, playing the piano, or playing drums in the high school marching band. Poppie always called his granddaughters his “angel baby girls” and his grandsons his “angel babies”. He made sure to call and sing to his family for every birthday & anniversary, and though we always teased him about his singing, we will miss it for sure. He taught his grandkids how to fish and passed down his love of ice cream and bologna. He loved playing games with his grandkids too. He went to Disney World with his grandchildren and shared his love for ‘The Country Bear Jamboree”. In 2014, he and Karran took their kids and grandkids on a cruise to celebrate Karran & Bill’s 50th wedding anniversary, where the kids surprised them with a vow renewal ceremony on the balcony. It was a very special vacation that our family will never forget. Bill’s greatest achievements were that of a devoted husband, marrying the love of his life and being with her for 55 years until the day he left to be with God; being a fantastic and dedicated father and raising his beloved children; and becoming a grandfather and watching his adored grandchildren grow into really great teenagers. His was very proud of his family and vice versa. The best thing was that he always made sure to let my brother & I, all of our kids, our spouses, and my mom know how proud he was of all of us and how much he really loved us (to the moon & back). Those who know Bill well have mentioned his many great qualities: his fun spirit and the ability to light up a room with his outrageous stories and jokes, as well as his genuine spirit. He was generous, kind-hearted and friendly, and he had an infectious and innocent sense of humor. But most of all, he was loyal, loving, fulfilled and happy! Bill spent the last week of his life with his immediate family, Karran, Michelle, and Michael. He was able to talk to them, listen to the stories his kids told him about his grandkids and watch videos and Facetime with the kids, and we laughed a lot. And for that, we are all so appreciative and thankful to God for that time together when it was just the four of us. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at 11am, located at St. Vincent De Paul in Wildwood, Florida. Final interment will be at Northampton Memorial Shrine in Easton, PA at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or any charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.AllFaithsCremations.com. (Please choose ‘The Villages’ location once on the website.) *Special Note for our Family and Friends “up North”: Please realize that our family absolutely understands if you are unable to come to Florida for the Memorial Service. Bill knew how much you loved him and most of you were able to tell him yourself at Bill & Karran’s Surprise 51st Anniversary Party in December 2015 when you approached Bill, presented him with a gorgeous rose and told him how much he meant to you. For that, we know he is thankful and will never forget the genuine outpouring of love that you showed him at that lovely party in their honor. We’d like to thank all of our family and friends who have been very supportive and helpful during this difficult time. You all really mean the world to us!