FFWPU USA Blessing and Family Ministry: In Memory of William D. Lay — William Lay

Seonghwa Ceremony: Saturday, August 23, at 8:00 AM at the Edwards-Dowdle Funeral Home, 64 Ashford Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Visitation and Memorial Service: Friday, August 22, 2025

Visitation begins at 4:00 PM Memorial Service at 7:00 PM

Visitation will continue overnight until the Seonghwa service.

Flowers can be sent to: Whispering Pines of Chappaqua Inc. 29 King Street Chappaqua, NY 10514 (914) 238-5661

GoFundMe: gofund.me/5f4c0d8e

Zoom broadcast: us02web.zoom,us/j/87968012567

William D Lay, son of Kenneth and Theodeanne Lay, was born on December 5, 1952, in Tokyo, Japan, where Kenneth was serving in the United States Army. After his father retired from the army, Bill and his family settled in Ripon, Wisconsin. After graduating high school, Bill attended the University of Notre Dame, where he completed two years of study before transferring to the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry and served as a research assistant to Nobel Laureate, Herbert C. Brown.

Bill joined the Unification Church in 1975 in Oakland, California. He became a member of the IOWC team and moved to New York in 1976. In 1978, he taught himself Spanish and became involved with the Spanish-language ministry, overseeing church services for the Spanish-speaking community.

In 1980, Bill began working with CAUSA International. Through CAUSA, Bill traveled across the globe - Latin America, the United States, Western Europe, Asia, and Australia - conducting seminars for leaders interested in the CAUSA Worldview. In 1986, after visiting and seeing over 50 countries, he was appointed Vice President of CAUSA International.

After graduating from Columbia Law School in 1992, Bill was selected to clerk at the New York Court of Appeals in Albany, the highest court in New York state. Following his time there, Bill and his family settled in Port Washington, New York, where he raised his five children, Nathanael, Daniel, Kori, Kalia, and Jina. He taught Sunday school in his living room to his children and other Unification church families. He always thrived teaching in any capacity. Bill and his family also spent many vacations in upstate New York where he taught his children how to cross country ski, which was one of his favorite activities. He and his family would also do yearly Summer road trips to his hometown of Ripon to spend time with his children’s beloved Grandpa and Nannie.

In 2008, the Professors World Peace Academy established a partnership with the University of Bridgeport. Bill was drawn back to his first love: teaching. He became a full-time faculty member at the University of Bridgeport, where he established both undergraduate and graduate programs in Criminal Justice and Human Security. Professor Lay was revered and respected by his students for his clear and engaging lectures and the personal attention he gave to each student who sought his support, as evidenced by his 4.7 out of 5 rating on RateMyProfessors!

Bill and his wife Taeko, have been together for 15 years. They are re-Blessed. They made a home in Harrison, New York, with Taeko’s daughters, Mika and Johanna. Just this year, they moved to

Hawthorne, New Jersey, to be closer to their grandchildren, Maya and Yana.

To say that Bill loved the outdoors would be an understatement. He was a decorated marathon runner and avid hiker. He led countless camping and backpacking trips and shared his love and respect for nature with his children, as well as many others. He was also a crossword puzzle aficionado, often completing the Sunday Times crossword in pen. He was always excited to pick up the guitar - another skill he taught himself - and get a singing circle going. He passed on many of these talents to his children.

Bill Lay is survived by his beloved wife, Taeko, his children and their significant others, Nathanael and Barbara, Daniel and Haley, Kori and Correy, Kalia and Dan, and Jina and Cam, and two stepdaughters, Mika and Johanna, with her husband, Kushal. He is also survived by his two grandchildren, Maya and Yana.

Brother Bill’s Seonghwa Ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 8:00 AM at the: Edwards- Dowdle Funeral Home 64 Ashford Ave, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

The Zoom Link to participate online is: us02web.zoom,us/j/87968012567 Meeting ID: 879 6801 2567 Time: Aug 23, 2025 8:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Please text or WhatsApp message Will Jacobson: (914) 357-3332 if you are having any issues with Zoom.

If you would like to offer a financial gift to the Lay Family, please use this GoFundMe Link: gofund.me/5f4c0d8e

To Send Flowers, please use this Local Florist Shop ~ FREE Delivery

Whispering Pines of Chappaqua Inc. 29 King Street Chappaqua, NY 10514 (914) 238-5661

Funeral Prices: Standing Sprays ~ $275.00 and Up Floor Baskets ~ $200 and Up Heart on a Stand ~ $350 and Up NO Delivery Charges for Bill’s Seonghwa Ceremony

There will be a Prayer Vigil 40 Hours before the Seonghwa Ceremony

You can sign up on this link: docs.google,com/spreadsheets/d/1BWQD-C- Kg6cFlEkPPHGl33FKWjRykhDKa1xhvdvm9Co/edit?usp=sharing

Visitation and memorial services will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 4:00 PM (visitation) to 7:00 PM (memorial service). Visitation will continue overnight until the Seonghwa service.

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In Loving Memory of William D. Lay

$2,840 raised 7% $40K goal • 19 donations

,.7’ 19 people just donated

Leslie Rigney S?, $70 • Recent donatio n

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William Lay’s journey with cancer began in late September 2023, shortly after returning from a deeply meaningful climb to the summit of Mt. Fuji in Japan-a See all Seetop testament to his strength , determination, and love for life. Not long after, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, w hich later progressed to stage four and spread to his stomach. In November of that year, William underwent major surgery, marking the beginning of his long and courageous road toward healing.

Over the following two years, William faced two rounds of chemotherapy with grace and resilience. By May 2025, he made the brave decision to discontinue treatment and instead focus on quality of life-choosing to be surrounded by the love of his wife, children, and grandchildren w hile embracing alternative approaches to healing.

In June, he entered hospice care and spent his final weeks in the comfort of his home, enveloped in love. Family and friends gathered around him, sharing stories, playing music, and celebrating the life of a man who meant so much to so many.

On August 14, 2025, William passed away peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by those he loved most. His journey was one of strength, courage, and deep connection. His spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

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