William Planes was born in New York, and brought up in a middle-class family. In high school, he excelled in academics and sports. William’s parents instilled in him a deep Faith in Christ, a strong work ethic, and a love for learning, which would shape his future success.
He was a top student at his university and was actively involved in various clubs and organizations on campus. During his university time, William was the student assistant to several professors in the school of business and taught the labs for the basic and intermediate accounting courses. He also interned at several large corporations, gaining valuable experience in the business world.
William, graduating and completing his military service in the Navy, landed a job at a top international CPA firm in South Florida. He rose through the ranks significantly, impressing his colleagues and clients with innovative ideas and attention to detail.
William resides in Tarpon Springs, where he is a well-respected community member. He is known for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to help others.
Greek Genocide
William Planes is an author whose father, Panayiotis Platanides, survived the Greek genocide in 1922 Asia Minor when he was only 14. Planes wrote a book called “Platanides: Through the Eye of the Storm” that tells his father’s true story of survival during the genocide and explores the power of the Greek Orthodox faith that helped his father and family overcome the atrocities they faced.
The book chronicles the early years of a young boy born in Asia Minor in 1908, his life, experiences, and Christian faith. It highlights how he and his family managed to flee the genocide of the Greek and Armenian Christians at the hands of Mustapha Kamal, Ataturk, on September 13, 1922. The book also focuses on their lives as genocide refugees and how the events of World War II on the Island of Crete affected them and their descendants. The book eventually expounds on the relationship between that boy in his adulthood and his son, the author himself.
According to the author’s website, he is “the first generation born of a survivor of Genocide in Asia Minor by the radical Muslim troops of Mustapha Kamal Ataturk in September 1922,” His parents raised him in the teachings and traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek genocide, which included the Pontic genocide, was the organized killing of the Christian Ottoman Greek population of Anatolia, carried out mainly during World War I and its aftermath (1914–1922) based on their religion and ethnicity.
From Crete To America
Panayiotis Platanides, who survived the genocide, managed to escape to America; however, not all of Plaines’s family members managed to get that far.
Before moving to Crete, other members of his family, including Planes’ paternal grandfather, spent two years residing at an immigrant camp in Greece. After moving from the immigrant camp to Crete, the family relatives eventually had to endured German occupation during World War II. The Gestapo sentence to death two of Planes’ uncles for their involvement in guerilla operations to topple the German troops in Crete. The Armistice kept them alive.
The maternal grandparents of Planes had lived in the USA since the turn of the century. According to Planes, the lowest class occupation imaginable, shoe black, was taken on by his ancestor, who worked the streets of Boston.
Faith
William is a devout Greek Orthodox Christian, and his faith plays an essential role in his life and work. In his book “Platanides: Through the Eye of the Storm,” Planes explores the power of his father’s faith in helping him survive the Greek genocide in 1922 Asia Minor. His grandchildren served as an inspiration for penning the book to ensure that the story of his ancestors inspires them as well as Christian readers worldwide.
“It was a lesson by my father to his kids that no matter what you’re confronted with in life if you trust in Christ and you believe without doubt that Christ is with you, you can get through anything. That was what we learned at a very early age, and that’s what stuck with me throughout my life.”
Planes has also written several articles and blog posts about his faith, including the importance of prayer and the role of the Orthodox Church in modern society. Many blogs highlight subjects such as the history of Christianity in Asia Minor or guiding Christians on how to adhere to a Christian lifestyle. He also pens blogs about the books and contents practicing Christians should read.
Williams Planes often publicly speaks about his faith and its importance. He has given talks at churches and other religious organizations, sharing his experiences and insights with others. In addition, he is involved in various Christian ministries and charitable organizations, including volunteering at a local homeless shelter and helping to support Greek Orthodox schools and churches.
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Overall, William Planes is a firm believer in the power of the Christian faith to inspire and uplift individuals and communities. He sees his faith as a guiding force in his life and work and is passionate about sharing its message with others.
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