William "Billy" Sottile Obituary

William "Billy" Sottile

Oceanside, CA - William Albert Sottile, age 65, of Oceanside California, formerly of Charleston County, passed away on February 23, 2026. He was the son of the late Louise W. Sottile and Salvador V. (Sally) Sottile. Billy was born in Charleston on August 16, 1960. He spent his first 18 years residing on the Isle of Palms, a very special place to live back then. Billy attended Stella Maris Catholic Grammar School in Mt. Pleasant, and Bishop England High School in Charleston, graduating in 1978. He formed many lifelong friendships with his classmates at "BE." Following the family tradition, he attended Clemson University, graduating in 1982 with a degree in Construction Management. Billy began his music career somewhere around the age of 8, driving his parents and siblings crazy banging on his drums. He stuck with it and eventually became a very good musician, playing guitar, keyboard, and drums. Over the years he had many gigs with various bands in various places across the U.S. How he loved music! His longing to travel first led him to Boston, MA where he joined his sister Bette who had moved there a year or two before. He stayed in Boston for about 15 years, landing a position with Raytheon, a major defense contractor, running computer software programs. That led him to a job at Edwards Airforce Base in California with Lockheed Corporation, now known as Lockheed Martin, a premier global aerospace, defense and technology company. He met his wife Terri while he was there. They married on September 5, 2009, on the Yorktown in Charleston. He spent many years working on Lockheed's development of the F-22 fighter plane. He was transferred to Lockheed's Las Vegas facility in 2010, until the F-22 project was retired. After that, he moved to Oceanside, California and worked for Leidos Corporation installing and maintaining its computer software programs used in many locations throughout the US until his retirement. Billy was an avid Clemson Football fan and a proud IPTAY member. He started the Las Vegas Clemson Club in 2011. The highlight of his fandom was attending the 2018 National Championship game in Santa Clara, CA with his brother, seeing in person the pinnacle of Clemson's football success. Billy is survived by his wife Terri, sister Susan Sottile Momeier (Chris), brother Nick (Val), niece Leah Lewin (Alex), and four nephews, Michael C. Momeier, David C. Momeier, Nicholas S. Sottile and Stephen R. Sottile. He was the hit of the party whenever he was with his niece or nephews, who so adored and admired him, maybe because he always brought fireworks and presents. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sisters Elisabeth Sottile Lewin and Charlotte L. Sottile, and his super dog C.J. A memorial service will be held at McAlister-Smith Funeral Chapel in Mt. Pleasant on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:00 o'clock a.m. The family will receive visitors at the Chapel one hour before the service. A private interment will be held for the family after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one's choice.

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