William (Bill) Castle
Castle, William Presley (Bill) passed away peacefully on Sunday October 16, 2022 after a 6-month battle with health issues. Born April 23, 1945 in St. Louis, MO.
Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years Emily, his children Marcy Fox (Bob), Greg Castle, Wendy Castle, and Blake Castle: 9 grandchildren, Marissa, Brandon, Colin, Quinn, Emily, Grace, Nick, Chelsea and Danielle. He was son of the late Harley W. Castle and Roberta M. (Presley).
Bill started his career with architectural firm PGAV on July 20, 1968, making him their longest serving employee. More importantly, during his more than five decades of amazing creative work, Bill provided design leadership on many of PGAV Destination’s most important projects. His contributions are hugely important not just for the company, but for the global themed entertainment industry. Bill’s creative vision has been described as a “force of nature.” His ability to fill a drawing with a world of experiential concepts – all in one sitting – was like nothing else. After every business day Bill came home to be a father.
Bill loved history, cars, his family and friends. He will be missed by all.
A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held later this year. Contributions may be made to the St. Louis Zoo in tribute to his many projects there.
Emily,
My heart goes out to you and your family.
I did not know Bill, but he sounds like an awesome guy.
Julie and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Emily, I am so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in my prayers! He must have been a really special guy. Rest In Peace, Bill!
Bill will live on in the memories of his colleagues and friends who were able to share in all of his amazing alternate worlds!
And you, dear Emily, have been the down-to earth one with glorious visions and creations of her own—Bill would never have made it as far as he did without your steadfast love and firm guidance. You and your family are in my prayers.
To the family I’m so sorry for your loss he was a very nice man
Emily,
Ideas-pictures-words… Bill was the artist who could take ideas to pictures and then provide the words to promote a project. Later, they would turn into detailed documents and drawings by PGAVs talented team. But it all started with an idea and Bill’s wild imagination. I first met Bill in 1984 while working for Ralston Purina. We were looking for ideas to turn Purina downtown office area into an office campus. Later from 1989 to 2008 while working for Busch Entertainment, Bill was involve in every project I worked on. First was the Port Aventura Theme Park in Spain. Then numerous theme park projects in Florida and California. As a client I did not get to see all the detailed workings of the design development but Bill was always the principle in the initial selling of the idea and his spirit could be seen in the finished products. Bill’s energy could light up a room. I was privileged to know and work with Bill. He will be missed as a colleague and a friend.
Our prayers are with you.
Pat Wilbur
It with with sadness that I write this message. I knew bill and the family for many years and was close to his children during this time. On many occasions I would have great times with the entire family. I remember about 20 years ago when I was over at the house in Warson Woods where we had a LOT of laugh’s for a couple hours, when I was leaving bill hugged me and said “thank you, we haven’t laughed like that in quite some time and we needed that”. I’ve got quite a few stories about bill and still to this day they come up in conversation with my friends.
While life takes it’s turns and you drift apart I think of the entire family often. As a matter of fact it was 2 weeks ago that I had a dream where bill and I were talking about what has been going on since we last spoke, I’m sad that it didn’t happen in person.
I pass on my deepest condolences to the family, his friends and mourn the loss as well. Bill was an amazing person both personally and professionally, he will be deeply missed by those who know him but his legacy will live on for generations in the hearts and minds of those who have learned architecture from him and embraced his visions.
Emily, so saddened to hear this…I am Mark Presley,….. Bill’s mom, Roberta was my father’s sister, and Bill was my and my sister Judy’s only 1st cousin. For years I always meant to get in touch again with Bill, but, well, I feel so badly that I did not. I have some great memories of cousin Bill at the Castles beautiful home on Fairview. Bill was 4 years older than me, and he used to take me on some wild rides blasting down Gravois in Bill’s 66 Buick Grand Sport!
Anyway, my sincere condolences, but he left a family legacy to be proud of.