Wilbert Mepham ‘Bill' Edgar of Southampton Dies November 3

Bill was an entrepreneur who loved being a businessman from as long as anyone can remember.

He started with a paper route in school, then moved on to “Bill’s Delivery service” as a young man newly graduated from Wellington C Mepham High School, the school named in honor of his grandfather, a district superintendent. After completing his service in the United States Army, he later owned South Shore Fire and Safety in East Meadow with his friend Warren Smith. In 1968, he decided to move his young family out to Southampton, so he purchased Peconic Restaurant and Marina on Wooley Pond. He had no experience with either type of business, but in true Bill fashion, he knew he could figure it out. He later founded Peconic Fire Equipment in 1970, because he was familiar with the business and saw a need in the community. Bill was a man who always wanted to keep busy, so he often had other jobs and businesses at the same time. Many kids in the Southampton area remember him from his years driving a school bus for the district. One of his “retirement jobs” was owning A&D Auto Salvage in Rockledge, FL, which he managed when he and Anne were spending their winters in nearby Titusville, FL.

As a proud Korean War veteran, Bill served in the US Army from 1952-1954. He learned motor vehicle repair as a member of the motor pool. He was deployed to Korea. In later years, he proudly displayed signs he had made especially for his 1928 Model A Ford pickup in the Southampton July 4th parade.

In 1950, Bill joined as a volunteer at Merrick Hook & Ladder. By 1963 he had ascended through the ranks to become Chief. He served in many positions with the department over the years and made lifelong friends. Many stories have been told about his time serving his community, and he had many fond memories from that time.

After relocating to Southampton, he became a member of North Sea Fire Department, later becoming a Commissioner. His son Derrick and grandsons Brian and Kyle continued the family tradition of service.

When his son Derrick became a member of the VFW Dunes Post ambulance, Bills commitment to volunteerism was reignited, and he decided to join. He was instrumental in the creation of Southampton Volunteer Ambulance when they separated from the VFW and was honored to be a lifetime member as a founding member.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Anne (Baldwin) Edgar, 3 children, Debra Robinson, Dale Phillips and Derrick Edgar (Kate), 4 grandchildren, Brian (Abby) and Kyle (Devin) Robinson, and Emily and Kevin (Renée) Edgar and one great grandson, Tate Robinson. He is also survived by George Luhring, who spent many summers growing up with his cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Wella Mepham Edgar and F. Wilbert Edgar, his sister Audrey Carter, and son-in-law Craig Robinson.

Wake services will be at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton on Wednesday, November 6 from 3pm to 7pm with a prayer service at 6:30pm. Interment will be Thursday, November 7 at 11am at Southampton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bill’s memory to the North Sea Fire Department Craig M Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 1312, Southampton NY 11969 or Southampton Volunteer Ambulance, PO Box 2760 Southampton, NY 11969.