William R. Rickett, 72, Grand Street, Oneida, died suddenly on Tuesday morning, May 24, 2016, at the Oneida Healthcare Center. Born in Baltimore, Md, on Jan. 9, 1944, Bill was raised in Syracuse and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy, Class of 1961 and attended St. Bonaventure University and SUNY Buffalo. He had a longtime career in the cellular industry in Syracuse and in 1995, established Cellular Solutions of Oneida. Bill was an avid golfer throughout his life, former board member at Kanon Valley Country Club and past chairman of the club’s member-guest tournament.
He served on the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Syracuse, and was a member of the Oneida Elks Lodge 767 BPOE. He held a deep love for his family-Terry and his daughters, granddaughters, nieces and nephew; his friends; dogs Mobley and Mugsey, and the Boston Red Sox. Surviving are his longtime companion, Terry Skubon of Oneida; his two daughters, Michelle Rickett of Fayetteville and Erin Rickett Schindler and her husband, Michael Schindler of Minneapolis, Minn.; his two granddaughters, Isabel Schindler and Jordan Schindler; his two sisters, Karen Rickett Mc Manus of San Francisco, California and Patricia Rickett Christakos and her husband, Donald “Sparky” Christakos of Cazenovia; Terry’s son, Joshua Skubon and his fiancée, Chrissy Mc Donald and their daughter Anna Mae Skubon of Schenectady; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Margaret Murphy Rickett. Known as “Rocket” to many, Bill’s love of life, his humor, stories and perpetual smile will be deeply missed by many.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, from the Campbell-Dean Funeral Home, Inc., 260 Main St., Oneida. Friends called at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, prior to the service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, 5005 Campuswood Drive, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit campbell-dean.com.