William Daisey

October 20, 1931 - November 25, 2021

William "Bill" Harrison Daisey, Sr., age 90, of Dover, DE, passed away on Thursday, November 25, 2021. Bill was best known as a three-term Dover city council member, vice-principal at W.T. Chipman Middle School (Harrington, DE) and as the former chief of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. Born on October 20, 1931, in Lewes, DE, during the Great Depression, he grew up in the Lewes/Millsboro areas near Indian Mission Church. Bill was the son of the late Pearl "Florine" (Daisey), who married Elmer R. Street, formerly of Harbeson, DE, on July 18, 1939. On July 26, 2014, Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Corinne (Street), daughter of the late Clarence Albert Street and the late Martha Ann Street, formerly of Millsboro, DE. Bill and Shirley were married on March 25, 1951. Bill began his formal education at Lewes Elementary School, the Hollyville School (Millsboro), and the Richard Allen School (Georgetown), but due to segregation laws, he could only obtain his high school degree by moving 90 miles away (staying with his grandmother) and attending Howard High School (Wilmington, DE) to complete his senior year. Appreciating the value of education and a trade, he would become a qualified journeyman in over eight different trades and would later earn, while working full-time, his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Delaware State College, and his master's degree in administration from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in New Jersey. He held several jobs as he worked to obtain his degrees, including auto engine mechanic, auto body/fender repairman, body shop foreman, aircraft painter, industrial painter, aircraft jet engine mechanic, and engineering technician. His career in education began in adult education/training in New Jersey. In 1978 he accepted the position of vice-principal at W.T. Chipman Middle School, later becoming transportation supervisor for the Lake Forest school district. Bill would also serve 5 years as deputy Recorder of Deeds for Kent County, Delaware. With a passion for public service, Bill volunteered to serve on various boards, commissions and organizations including chairperson of the Paulsboro (NJ) Recreation Committee, Gloucester County (NJ) Welfare Board member, president of the Dover Lions Club, president of the Lower Delaware Principals Association, Democratic Committee Person, and vice-chair of the Kent County Democrats. Bill was elected to the Dover City Council in 1987, making him the first Native American and second person of color elected to the post. He would serve his district tirelessly for three 2-year terms, including sponsoring and fighting against special interest to enact a city-wide smoking ban in restaurants in 1991 to help reduce city cancer rates, ten years before the state would do the same. He also strived hard to create fair employment opportunities for all Dover residents, including minorities. His involvement with the Nanticoke Indian Tribe grew when he was first elected to their Tribal Council in 2004, and then selected assistant chief in 2008. Bill ascended to chief of the tribe in June 2013. Chief William "Thunder Eagle" Daisey would serve the tribe in "the biggest honor of my life" until stepping down in January 2016, due to medical reasons. Bill received numerous awards and recognitions due to his civic activities. Included among them were the NAACP Public Education and Humanitarian Award, Native American Indian Heritage Award, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award, Servant of the City of Dover Award, Dover Lions Club President's Award, and Lions Club International Humanitarian Award. Bill fondly remembered attending the 1963 March on Washington, where he sat 25 feet from Dr. King; attending the 2008 inauguration of Barack Obama; and the opening ceremonies of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. He especially enjoyed family gatherings, and the annual Nanticoke Indian Pow Wows. He often noted his pride for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for not only their accomplishments, but for the types of people they had become. Shirley and Bill worked hard to create a strong family, and to give each child an opportunity to thrive. They considered this legacy their biggest accomplishment. Their love for each other, and devotion to family and friends will continue to inspire for years to come. Bill is survived by eight children, William H. Daisey Jr. and his wife Linda M. (Washington) of Swedesboro, NJ, Sarah L. Minor and her husband Frank W. Minor III of Logan Township, NJ, Deborah D. Street and her husband Gordon W. Street of Dover, DE, Darnell K. Daisey and his wife Lisa W. (Franklin) of Ashton, MD, Darryl B. Daisey and his wife Sari A. (Rosemond) of Garnet Valley, PA, Aida "Mam" Binateeq and her husband Saleh Binateeq of Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Junina N. Sullivan and her husband Tyrone T. Sullivan of Dover, DE, and Dionne L. Williford and her husband Evan O. Williford of Hockessin, DE; eighteen grandchildren, Derek W. Daisey and his wife, Rosalyn D. (Dow), Damar A. Daisey and his wife Narjis (Urey), Brooke C. (Minor) Ferguson and her husband Edwin M. Ferguson Jr., Dwayne W. Street and his wife Jessica (Jurado), William "Shannon" Street, Tyan M. Collins, Lateefah Binateeq, Belinda M. Daisey, Jordan W. Minor, Briyana J. (Chandler) Brisbane and her husband Rashad Brisbane of Cypress, TX, Salma Binateeq, Ibrahim Binateeq, Cameron D. Daisey, Elise R. Williford, Benjamin J. Daisey, Bryce H. Daisey, Sophie E. "Tamia" Williford, and Warren T. Daisey; twenty-one great grandchildren, Naomi Urey, Madison Y. Street, Nohealani Collins, Jovan T. Daisey, Jayden Collins, Dakota Collins, Kemani Collins, Kellan Brisbane, Madison R. Brisbane, Drew H. Daisey, Luke W. Street, Micah C. Ferguson, Karson Collins, Avonna Collins, Lamiere Collins, Tyonne Collins, Landon W. Brisbane, Jude W. Street, Rayven Dow, Jace A. Collins, and Ayla Coverdale; a god daughter, Tami Lee; a number of loving cousins, in-laws, nephews, nieces, and friends. Bill, along with Shirley, also helped to raise three nieces, Shirley Harris of Wilmington, DE, Kathryn Clark of Bridgeton, NJ, and the late Patricia Feeney formerly of Philadelphia PA; and one nephew, Herbert "Buzzy" Carney of Indian Head, MD. Bill is also survived by three sisters, Margaret "Tillie" (Daisey) Harris of Wilmington, DE, Merle (Street) Iannuzzi of Ellendale, DE, and Ruth A. Street of Houston, TX; and nine brothers, Charles E. (Meriedith) Street of Lewes, DE, Roy C. (Shirley) Street of Milton, DE, Newlin (Cozy) Street of Smyrna, DE, Nolan B. Street of Ellendale, DE, Nathan "Johnny" Street of San Diego, CA, Garceil "Jim" Street of Ellendale, DE, Victor V. (Annette) Street of Millsboro, DE, Ronald B. Street of Ellendale, DE, and Carl H. (Janice) Street of Bridgeville, DE. Bill was preceded in death by five sisters, Felicia V. (Street) Sammons, Lottie M. Street, Edith (Street) Harmon, Pearl B. (Street) Burks, and Marian M. Street; and twelve brothers, Carlos Street, Benjamin A. Street, Vernon A. Daisey, Escuss E. Street, Harold C. Street, Lawrence E. Street, Curtis E. Street, Robert C. "Fella" Street, Wildon A. Street, Elmer "Everett" Street, Paul E. Street, and Richard C. Street; and his lifelong friend/brother, David Robinson of Wilmington, DE.