William E. Hyland Jr, affectionately called Scuba Bill, age 77, passed away peacefully at “home” in Bear, DE on January 5, 2026, with his family at his side. In learning Christmas week that his cancer had advanced, Bill asked for one wish, that his passing be kind and peaceful. His wish was granted leaving a life well lived and well loved.
Born in 1948, Wilmington, DE, to Edward Hyland Sr and Anne T. Hyland (Terczak), Bill is survived by his wife, scuba buddy, and best friend, Janette, and his step children, Marc France (Sarabeth), Brad France (Lisa) and Gideon, his grandson. He is also survived by his daughter, Carolyn Hyland (Pete) of Colorado, and son, William “Billy” R. Hyland (Lisa) and grandson, Theo of Pennsylvania. He is survived by his siblings, Beverly Heverin (Ed) and Jeffrey Hyland of Lewes, DE, nieces and nephews, and his extended family in Australia.
Bill grew up in north Wilmington, graduated Mt. Pleasant High School, where he excelled in academics and his basketball prowess. He then attended the University of Tennessee, graduating with a degree in Geology.
While in college, Bill attained his first, of many, NAUI Scuba Certifications, which would extend well into his later years and travel escapades with his dive buddies, including the infamous annual “Cayman Death March”. An advocate of continuing education, he certified, as Master Diver and Instructor, and along the way developed lifelong friendships and wonderful memories. Bill’s underwater photography captured a world that he loved and respected – he was one with the Ocean.
Bill’s early love of cooking, instilled by his grandmother’s kitchen, led him, after graduating College, into corporate management where he oversaw campus food service programs for Colleges and Universities campuses in the tri-state and NY areas. From there, his restauranteur mindset and business acumen led him to establish his first restaurant (Pizza, of course!) in North Philly which then led him to own and operate Greensleeves Sports Bar (Wilmington).
After many years of restaurant ownership, Bill joined the financial world of JP Morgan Chase Private Banking Operations to round out his career until retirement.
In 2014, he and Janette and their two rescued dachshunds, Hops and Barley, moved to Florida. He envisioned and created his perfect outdoor living lifestyle, complete with kitchen to include gas grill, multiple smokers, and a Big Green Egg. He enjoyed nothing more than after a hard day in the kitchen to lay back in the pool with a Miller Lite and snooze. It was always 5 o’clock somewhere.
Bill will always be remembered for his passion and creativity with food, hanging out in the kitchen, sharing techniques, entertaining neighbors and family. Bill and Janette shared in their culinary adventures and loved the planning and executing of a good time around food. His culinary legacy and lasting memories will live on through his recipes.
Bill loved golf and the fact that he lived close to many of the Florida PGA championship tournaments, giving him the opportunity to follow the best in the game. Shortly after arriving in Florida, the elusive game of golf was mastered with a “hole in one” which he took in stride. In his words, “Golf is just another four-lettered word on any given round”.
Bill lived life with no regrets and believed that to be happy, you must Love what you do and Love the people you are with.
The family wishes to thank the Supportive/Palliative Christiana Care Team and Compassionate Care Hospice for their guidance.
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