William T. "Bill" Soulier

William T. “Bill” Soulier, 72, passed away peacefully in Fort Pierce, Florida, on May 26, 2025.

Bill was born in Cohoes, New York, on November 1, 1952, he attended Shenendehowa High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for nine years. He retired as IT Director at Reserve America in Ballston Spa, New York, where he made a lasting impact through his leadership and dedication.

A man of many interests, Bill was a member of the American Legion, the Power Squadron, the Ocean Cruising Club, and the Seven Seas Cruising Club. He loved sailing, playing the flute and guitar—often entertaining friends and family with his island songs—and was an enthusiastic follower of SpaceX flights and YouTube sailing adventures.

Throughout his life, Bill’s desire and thirst for knowledge advanced him in many endeavors. Each job he had, landed him in higher and new positions and departments, learning all about computers from the early years of computers. This eventually led him to an IT Director Position with the company Reserve America. Once, when he worked in Albany NY, he’d see the sailboats maneuvering on the Hudson River. He told himself that one day, that’s where he would be. He described it as his “best destiny”

Bill married Laura in Oct 2005. In Sept 2006, he made that lifestyle a reality, when they purchased a 43’ sailboat and named her Second Wind (for the ‘seconds’ in their lives). They moved on board, and looked ahead to the new adventures. The first few months he made her a seaworthy vessel, doing all the mechanics, electronics, wiring, navigation systems, woodwork, painting, too much to list. But then she was ready and they sailed to the Bahamas through the Virgin Islands to the Eastern Caribbean to Granada and all the way to Trinidad and Tobago. Then did the reverse to get to some of the islands they had missed along the way. (2007-2008)

Upon returning to the States, he studied achieving his Captain License. Which paved the way to starting his own Sailing Charter business (Sunny Sail Charters) to share his love of sailing, in the Florida Keys(winter) and on the Hudson River (summer) (2008-2015). Also being a parttime Captain on a 100 ft party boat, the Marika (Hudson Cruises). Other journeys were a 2 months delivery of a friend’s boat in the Pacific Ocean from New Zealand to Hawaii. As well as a few winters in the Bahamas and a trip to Cuba.

Over the years the boat required plenty of maintaining and upgrading, there was always a project list. It’s what he lived for, the contentment and accomplishment of a job well done. He often shared his wealth of knowledge with other boaters, giving advice on systems or even lending a helping hand on anything from boat projects to weather predictions, wave and tide information, even navigating in the ICW.

For 18 ½ years, life on board Second Wind was his contentment and freedom. Until Jan 2025 when his health would force him to leave his beloved way of life.

Five days before passing, he was able to climb on board, go below and repair a small project that had arisen. Sitting in the salon, a smile on his face, he said “It feels so good to fix something on Second Wind”.

He also wrote 4 books based on the blog he kept from the beginning of this journey, his wonderful life. Sail Away, Sail up the Pacific, Sail Home, and Sail On.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Laura Soulier of Florida; his sister, Denise (Tom) Panis of Clifton Park, New York; nieces Collette Panis of Clifton Park, and Alanna, Devynn, and Isabelle; nephews Eric (Jessica) Panis of Saratoga, New York, and Brycen, Justin (Emily), and Jinora. He also leaves behind numerous cousins and second cousins.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Jean Soulier; his brother, Raymond Soulier; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

In Bill’s memory, donations may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice.