William "Bill" James Mealia

MEALIA, WILLIAM J. - William passed away peacefully with his family by his side on August 25, 2025. Born On Nov. 22,1943, at St. Vincent Hospital, Bridgeport, CT. to the late US Army T/Sgt. Robert J. Mealia and Louise A. Mealia.

William or “Bill” or "Jocko" as he was affectionately known was a graduate of Central High School, Bridgeport CT. class of 1961. He entered the US Army in 1961 and was a graduate of the US Army Southeastern Signal School, Ft. Gordon, GA. where he graduated as Radio Repair Technician. He was assigned to the Eighth US Army Signal Depot, ASCOM City, Soule, Korea 1962 - 1963. He was assigned to temporary duty at Ton Sa Nue Airbase Viet Nam where he received the Bronze Star Medal and 2 Purple Hearts. Later He was elevated to the rank of T/Sgt -E-5 and reassigned to Tobyhanna Army Depot, Mt. Pocono, PA. 1963 - 1964. He was later assigned to the US Army Reserves until 1967 before he was Honorably Discharged.

Bill served as a Part-Time Park Police Officer with the Bridgeport Police Dept. 1967 - 1970. He served with the Milford CT. Police Dept. 1975 - 1995. Upon retiring, he and his wife moved to Charlotte, NC. where he served from 1998 - 2013 with North Carolina Public Safety. Before his retirement, he was the Shift Commander with the rank of Lieutenant at the One Wells Fargo Center, Charlotte, NC.

Bill was a faithful member of the American Legion Pot 505, Calabash, NC. Serving as the Chaplain and other Post duties.

Bill is survived by his wife Coral T. Mealia, sister Robyn Hayden, Daughter Karen Mealia Trabandt (Greg), Stepchildren Richard Dzialo (Sandy), Bonnie Hill (John), David Dzialo (Laura) and grandchildren, Christopher Anastasio (Amanda), Matthew Anastasio (Sarah), Jonathan Hill (Alyssa), Julian Hill, Randall Mitchell (Katie), Kirsten Dzialo (Tosh), Brittany Hannon (Zachery), Dannie Dzialo. Megan Dzialo, Kaitlyn Dzialo. Danielle Kolliopoulos, Brooke Kolliopoulos, Lia Ospina, Tanner Trabandt, and eight Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Robert J. Mealia, Police Officer with the Streamwood, IL Police Dept. Nov. 21, 1992.

William was cremated a per his wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. A Lutheran Memorial Service will take place in St. Luke Lutheran Church, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. November 22, 2025, at 11AM, where he was a church member where he served as an Usher, Greeter, Acolyte and Crucifer. He was also Vice President of the LMM Men's Church Group.

The Mealia family wishes to thank the team at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare and SECU Hospice House of Brunswick for their exceptional care and compassion and especially Darcy Park for her warmth and kindness.

The Family requests with gratitude that donations be sent to: Hospice Home Care - Lower Cape Fear Life Care - 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28462 or www.lifecare.org.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare | Advanced Care for Serious Illness

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is a non-profit hospice that provides hospice, palliative, memory, & grief care for tho...

Online condolences may be sent to www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com.