William Anthony Tricomi, Jr.

William "Bill" Tricomi transitioned from this plane on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. After several years of progressive illness, he is now at peace.

Bill was a friend to many in his varied interests, several of which overlapped. He was a musician all his life, playing clarinet in school jazz bands and orchestras from grade school through college. He was self-taught in early music recorders, playing mostly for his own enjoyment, but perhaps his greatest musical contribution was as a doumbek, and other hand drums player, for the art of belly dance. Bill's drumming journey started in the late 90's, when he began playing during belly dance classes, continuing for 15 years, before arthritis made it too painful to continue. During those years he also played in several Middle Eastern musical groups and with a renaissance festival music and dance performing troupe.

Another great passion of Bill's was photography. He took literally tens of thousands of pictures of dancers and models, becoming a master at getting the perfect moment in dance movement. A standing joke amongst those close to him was that his camera was referred to as his girlfriend or wife!

His artistic talent didn't end there - he was heavily involved in role playing games: running sessions, making the stories happen, painting miniature (and sometimes not so miniature) creatures, fae folk and warriors to use as markers in the games. Interestingly, his gaming passion started in the 60's and 70's with battle re-enactment games, especially sea battles.

Bill was a scientist by vocation. He graduated Cum Laude from Case Western Reserve with a BS in engineering. Leaving his home state of Ohio, he migrated to Madison, WI where he earned Master’s degrees in Chemistry and Pharmacy, eventually landing in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a researcher in the Dairy Department. His main area of focus was cheese, another lifelong, and tasty, passion.

Although Bill was quiet and reserved, he touched many lives through his work and avocations. Besides many dancers, musicians, and gamers, Bill leaves a very special "stepdaughter" Sara, her husband and her two girls. He will be greatly missed.

On Tuesday, May 6, 2025 there will be visitation at 9 AM, followed at 10 AM by Catholic Mass, then a light luncheon at St Bernard Catholic Church, 2015 Parmenter St, Middleton, WI. A celebration of life, dance and games will be later this spring, information forthcoming.

Donations can be made in Bill's name to the American Heart Association or the Kidney Foundation.

Please share your memories of Bill by posting here on his Tribute Wall.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406