Obituary of William Yeoman

William (“Bill”) A. Yeoman of Sun City Center, Florida, died peaceably in his sleep at home on Monday, August 6, 2018. He was 98 years old.  He had been a resident of Sun City Center since 1994, when he relocated from Shelton, Connecticut.

Mr. Yeoman was born in Rochester, New York on September 28, 1919. From his mother, he developed a life-long love of pancakes which he would make for dinner guests followed by a game of Uno. From his father, he learned car mechanics.  His love of the environment and outdoors came from his grandparents. 

He served in the Army in World War II as a chauffeur stationed at Pearl Harbor. After the war, he went to New York to make his way in the theater.  He did that and also sold bibles for the American Bible Society. He had a deep faith that carried him through his life.  At Sun City Center, he served for a period as President of the Metaphysical Society.

In New York, he met the love of his life, Rosa Rio, the organist who performed around the world. They were married in 1947, a marriage which lasted until Ms. Rio died in 2010.  Throughout their marriage, Mr. Yeoman served as Ms. Rio’s business manager. They were a team.  At their home, “The Cave” in Shelton, Connecticut, they entertained people on Saturday mornings on radio with “The Rosa and Bill Show”.  When Ms. Rio performed at the Tampa Theater playing the organ accompaniment to the silent films, Mr. Yeoman was always in the lobby selling Ms. Rio’s recordings and conversing with her fans. 

Mr. Yeoman is survived by Ms. Rio’s niece, Linda Cannon and her husband, Robert, and their children, of Peoria, Illinois, Mr. Yeoman’s goddaughter, Brook Hedge, of Lewes, Delaware, Ms. Rio’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as loving, dedicated caretakers: Sandra Baldasarre, Victoria Campos, Theresa Chambers, Nora Munoz, Sharron Potter and Joyce Wincenciak.  There will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to an environmental preservation group of your choice.