William A. Backus

Obituary

Willie Randall Merrell III was born August 1, 1954 to the late Dena Backus Faison. When Dena Backus Faison married Lee Addison Backus, Lee adopted Willie and he was renamed William Addison Backus. He was also affectionately known as “Bibbit”.

William attended elementary school in Hempstead, New York and graduated from Hempstead High School. While in high school he attended Boces Technical School where he learned to be an awesome mechanic. He also participated in sports which included football and track.

William was the fourth of six siblings. He “ruled” his siblings with a mean sharp tongue and an iron fist. Yes, William was the disciplinarian who would make sure you behaved. Yet beneath that rough hard exterior there was a heart bigger than life.

William was a talented, driven man whose capacity to love was larger than his physical form. He had a quick smile, open arms and fierce loyalty to the ones he loved. William loved hard and loved strong. He taught us that family is who you make it so appreciate them and fight for what you love even if you have nothing left to give.

William attended Antioch Baptist Church in Hempstead, NY where he was baptized. He served as an usher and sang in the Young Adult Choir. William was also a talented musician. He spent countless hours singing with his siblings and playing multiple instruments. He enjoyed teaching the keyboard and playing for many local bands.

William enlisted in the U.S Army in 1975 and served in the Armed Forces for 3 years as a Military Chef. In his life he became a great chef and cooked in many restaurants on Long Island. William met and married Merilyn Swittenberg. Together they had one daughter, Victoria Backus. Later in life William had three additional children, William Hawkins, Eddie Backus and Michelle. In 2013 William’s best friend Brennan Ocletree died. William moved to Sanford, NC to care for Brennan’s widow Tammie and their children. He vowed to raise Dylan Ocltree and did so until the day he died.

William was diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He fought a tremendous battle and won. William finished his course in life and went home to be with the Lord on July 18, 2018. Left to celebrate his life is his ex-wife Merilyn Swittenburg, his children:Victoria Backus

(Terrence), William Hawkins, Eddie Backus (Jessica), Dylan Ocltree and Michelle; grandchildren: Luther Johnson, Andrew Johnson, Nya Flood, Nathaniel Flood,  Addenise Backus; siblings: Eugene Backus (Virginia), Theresa Brown (James), Deidre Backus and Chauncey Backus( Lisa), Late Larry Backus ( Maria); significant other: Theresa Hawkins; NC family: Tammie, Lauren, Brandon, Zachari, Melany, Aydon, Ryan; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William A. Backus, please visit our floral store.