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William Ponder - Class of 1978
Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 08/Jun/2022
71.223.74.182
Message:
William Dean Ponder 62, of Newburgh, NY passed on May 29, 2022. He was born April 4, 1960 and was the youngest of six children.
William was a 1978 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree from Johnson and Wales College in Providence Rhode Island. He received certifications from The American Correctional Academy Boulder Colorado, State of New York Executive Leadership and New York University Coaching Certification.
William began his professional career in 1982 with New York State as a Division for Youth Aide. He went on to become a Vocational Instructor and then became a Parole Officer. He advanced to Parole Revocation Specialist, Senior Parole Officer, Bureau Chief, Asst Regional Director (Bronx and Manhattan), Deputy Director of Operations and Bureau Chief (Manhattan/Staten Island) NY at which time he retired in 2015.
In his retirement he became an entrepreneur by starting Coaching Excellence and Ponder International which included Puzzle It (his puzzle bus) and a designer cufflink business. William was a world traveler. He visited places such as Greece, Rotterdam, Barcelona, Morocco, England and Portugal just to name a few.
He was an asset to anyone he met. If you had the opportunity to talk to him, or should I say, for him to talk to you, you knew he was imparting knowledge and wisdom that would last you a lifetime. You always came away feeling like you knew what your next move should be.
He is survived by his four siblings John Ponder (Janet) of Edgewater, Florida, Sterling Ponder (Shirley) of Newburgh, New York, Sterlina Brady (Michael) of Nashville, Tennessee and Tammy Ponder-Spell (Patrick) of Ayden, North Carolina. He is also survived by three nephews, Fannon Ponder, Michael Ponder (Valerie), Nigel Ponder (Lauren); two nieces, Amber Ponder and Latisha Lynch (Quincy) and six great-nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
William is predeceased by his parents, James and Flora Ponder; his eldest brother, James Ponder Jr. and recently by his lifelong companion Camille Cooke.
What can you say of a life that was so well lived? Good job "Deanyboy"!
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of William to Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, 1 Sunrise Lane, Newburgh, NY 12550
Mr. Ponder will have a Gathering from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 76 First Street, Newburgh, NY 12550. Professional service entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Avenue, New Windsor, NY. "Committed To Being The Very Best" Call us anytime 845-569-1233.
Posted online on June 08, 2022
Published in Middletown Times Herald-Record
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