William Valcarcel Obituary, Death – Brooklyn-Born Accountant Remembered for Courage and Perseverance

William Valcarcel, 54, was remembered as a determined man who refused to allow physical challenges or difficult circumstances to define the limits of his life.

Raised in a Spanish-speaking household in Brooklyn, William faced significant obstacles from an early age. He contracted polio so severely that he spent years hospitalized and was unable to attend school during an important part of his childhood. Despite those setbacks, he continued to pursue an education and build a life defined by determination.

William eventually learned English and went on to accomplish things that once may have seemed difficult to imagine. He learned to swim, obtained a driver’s license and earned an accounting degree, eventually beginning a career with New York State at a time when opportunities for Puerto Ricans in government employment were limited.

His professional career continued to progress as he moved through the ranks of the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. He ultimately became a supervising accountant, establishing himself through persistence and professional ability.

William used a wheelchair at his office on the 87th floor of 2 World Trade Center, although his daughter Melissa recalled that he sometimes used crutches at home. She described virtually everything he accomplished as requiring extraordinary effort.

For his family, however, William’s physical challenges were only one part of his story. His determination to keep moving forward became an example for those closest to him.

“He overcame everything,” his daughter said, describing him as a fighter who repeatedly encouraged his family never to give up.

William Valcarcel’s life remains a story of resilience, ambition and perseverance. From overcoming severe childhood illness and educational setbacks to building a successful accounting career, he demonstrated a determination that his family continues to remember.

His message to those around him was simple but lasting: never give up.