Bill Culpepper

Bill Culpepper, 77, longtime resident of Tyrone, NY, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 10, 2025. Bill was a Mississippi boy who transcended a poor and rocky upbringing to become an incredible father and husband and one of the most caring, intelligent, funny and creative people any of us have ever known. He settled in the Finger Lakes area in the late 1970s. There he met and married the love of his life, Terry Vatter, and they built the house together in which they lived for 45 years.

Bill was a builder, carpenter, sculptor, author, animator, all-around Renaissance man and father and step-father of three. He was the one to call whenever your plumbing broke or your car wouldn't start, and he was always more than happy to lend a helping hand or tell you exactly what to do over the phone. He truly couldn't rest if anyone he cared about was having a problem of any kind. On top of that, he had a deep intellect that he satisfied by reading scientific publications and completing the New York Times crossword puzzle daily.

He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his children Asa (Stephanie) Redmond, Simeon (Cheyenne) Redmond and Andrew (Jenny) Culpepper all of the Ithaca area, grandchildren Gavin, Jezebel, Tristan, Shell Redmond and Wesley Culpepper, and niece Hannah Tvedten of Lexington, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the National Science Foundation.

A celebration of life will be held on September 20th, 2025 at Lodi Point State Park starting at 1 pm.

Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home of Watkins Glen is assisting the family.