Eight Bells: Bill Hyatt

William Stanley Hyatt, 88, also known as Bill, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023 in Odessa, Florida.

Bill made his money in real estate, but his calling and passion were working with young sailors and their parents. In 1973, he opened his business Sailing Specialties which he ran for over four decades. His focus was on sailboat racing and promoting junior sailing while equipping them, fixing their boats, and following their many and varied careers.

“Since 1975, I called Bill my Sailing 911,” remarked Peter Commette. “Whatever I needed, he had or he would get, even somehow getting delivered to me overnight a new whisker pole at the Pan-Am Games in Cuba! He and his wife Anne were fixtures at Opti regattas for years.”

As an avid sailor, he spent countless hours on the water, not only racing his beloved FD sailboat but also watching his children compete in regattas. His love for sailing was matched only by his enthusiasm for classic cars, as he was a devoted MG enthusiast. Bill was also a well-read individual, always eager to expand his knowledge through various books and magazines.

Born on November 12, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York to the late Paul and Suze Hyatt, he is survived by his loving spouse, Anne Hyatt, his son Stan Hyatt, his daughter Holly Bauer, his grandchildren Blake, Gage, and Peyton Bauer, and his brother Frank Hyatt. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom Hyatt.

A private memorial service will be held at Trinity Memorial Gardens on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at 2 pm. The address is 12609 Memorial Dr, Trinity, FL 34655. In honor of Bill’s memory, contributions can be made to a junior sailing program or the American Cancer Society.

Bill’s legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace. To share a memory, click here.