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Bill Zuppa, a 'driving force' for veterans,' has died

Northwest Florida Daily News - 9/25/2018

Sept. 25--MARY ESTHER -- Bill Zuppa, who was highly instrumental in getting the Veterans Tribute Tower placed at Beal Memorial Cemetery, died on Monday.

"He was very good people," said Gene Carroll, founding president of the Veterans Tribute Tower Committee that raised money to place the tower. "I remember him as a very caring person. He's probably one of the ones who helped me the most with the tower."

Zuppa, who was in his 80s, passed away after a long illness, said Tom Rice, who served with Zuppa on the committee. The 30-foot-tall tower was installed on Veterans Day 2015.

Zuppa, of Mary Esther, was a retired non-commissioned officer with the U.S. Air Force.

"He was one of the driving forces to honor veterans in the community, and it was his dogged determination that (the tower installation) would happen," Rice said. "He was so blessed to see it installed before he passed away."

He said Zuppa also was the founder of A to Z Lock & Safe in Mary Esther, a builder and a developer.

In addition, Zuppa was a "jovial Italian" who belonged to the Joseph B. Franzalia Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 2422 in Wright and was involved in other Italian organizations throughout the country, Rice said.

Funeral arrangements were being finalized. As part of saying goodbye to Zuppa, his friends and loved ones plan to ring a bell in his honor at the Veterans Tribute Tower next Monday.

In addition, "We will lay a special wreath for Bill at the Veterans Day ceremony" at Beal Memorial Cemetery, Rice said.

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(c)2018 the Northwest Florida Daily News (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.)

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