William Lee "Bill" Van Alstine

Augusta, GA – William Lee “Bill” Van Alstine, 84, entered into rest on Monday, May 20, 2025, with loving family by his side. Bill Van Alstine was born in Butte, Montana, on June 2, 1940. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Wyoming. He was an active member of the St. Paul Newman Center on campus where he met his best friend and wife of 61 years, Toni Marie. Following his wedding, he attended the University of Missouri-Rolla, obtaining his Masters of Science in Mathematics. He enjoyed a long career as an educator teaching high school through college math courses at various schools in Virginia and Wyoming. He moved his family to Aiken, SC in 1980, and became a member of the Alleluia Community. He joined the faculty at Aiken Technical College where he continued his vocation as an instructor and touched many lives until his retirement in 2009. He was fondly remembered by his joyful whistling in the hallway and constant encouragement.

Family and God were central to Bill’s life. Affectionately known as “Papa”, he valued family time and never missed an opportunity to get together. He worked hard to build family and inspired in them a love of God’s creation through camping trips, gardening, woodworking and bird watching. Throughout his life, he was an active parishioner. As a youth, he was an altar server, and as an adult he was an acolyte, visited the sick with his wife, and a Knight of Columbus. He also had a special love for the Native Americans and regularly supported the Catholic missions on those reservations.

Left to carry on his legacy of family are his children Joseph (Cindi) Van Alstine, Rev. Mark Van Alstine, Dr. Andrew (Lyn) Van Alstine, Clare (Larry) Sullivan, and Yvonne (David) Kling; 19 grandchildren: Anthony (Molly) Van Alstine, Gianna Van Alstine, Isabella Van Alstine, Francesca Van Alstine, Thérèse Van Alstine, Justin Van Alstine, Abigail Wilby (Ryan), Juliana Van Alstine, Catherine Van Alstine, Amelia Van Alstine, Andrew W. Van Alstine, Geoffrey (Olivia) Sullivan, Sean Sullivan, Colette Sullivan, Francis Sullivan, Nicholas Sullivan, Jamee Kling, Patrick Kling, Gregory Kling; great-grandchildren Imelda Van Alstine and Jones Wilby; sister Kathy (Rich) Williams; and many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Roz and Charles, wife Toni Marie, son Gregory Lee, and brothers Chuck, Jack and Phil.

A vigil service will be Monday, May 26, 2025, 6:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Augusta, GA 30906, with visitation following until 8 PM. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 10 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Alleluia Community Cemetery, Dearing, GA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill Van Alstine’s memory can be made to: St. Francis Indian Mission in South Dakota at sfmission.org