Obituary of William J. Ziotas

William Ziotas, 79, of Vineland NJ., died Thursday, March, 24, 2016 at Inspira Medical Center in Vineland, N.J. surrounded by family and loved ones. Born Vasilios Ziotas on February 1, 1937 in Korifi, Greece, to parents Yianni and Zacharenia Ziotas. He has one sister, Aspasia (Soula) Diamantopoulos (George Diamantopoulos) and two nephews Lucas and Yianni in Thessaloniki, Greece. Everyone knew him as Bill. After completing high school in Greece, he arrived in the U.S. in 1955. He worked many years in the restaurant business learning the trade. He returned to Greece to marry the love of his life Stavroula (Voula) Hatsiopoulos in 1962. Upon returning to America and settling in Wrightstown, N.J., they had one daughter, Helen Ziotas Tassakis (married to Dr. Tom Tassakis). Bill and Voula were blessed with two beautiful grandchildren; Christina and George Tassakis. They both adored their Pappou Bill. The Ziotas' were longtime parishioners of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Trenton, N.J. While in Wrightstown, Bill and Voula opened the Palace Restaurant where they were known for their excellent food and warm hospitality. They left a legacy in Wrightstown. After Bill's health began to deteriorate, they moved to Vineland, N.J. to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. He was a kind and gentle man who was loved and will be remembered by everyone that he met. Bill's funeral was on Monday, March 28 at St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church and was laid to rest at Siloam Cemetery on Valley Road in Vineland, N.J. May his memory be eternal. Arrangements were by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home, 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.