Obituary of William E. Weiss

Colonie – William E. Weiss, Sr., age 87, of Van Buren Ave., died peacefully Sunday, June 7th in St. Peter’s Hospital.   Mr. Weiss was born in Watervliet, New York to the late P. Henry Weiss and Ella Viola Clother Weiss.  Bill served in the United States Army from November 1945 to February 1947 and was honorably discharged as a Technician Fifth Grade in the 367th Medical Division. He worked for many years in the construction trade as a lather for the Wood, Wire, and Metal Lathers International Union, served as the union’s local business agent, and then was a bus driver for the South Colonie Central School District Transportation Department, retiring in 1995.   Bill led a life of dedicated public service to his community.  He was a Life Member of the Fuller Road Fire Department, having served as a Chief, President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was also the Treasurer of the Town of Colonie Presidents and Chiefs Club.  Bill cherished his friends within the fire service and was a daily fixture at morning coffee at Fuller Road Fire Department.  He especially will be missed on Tuesdays, which was when he delivered his freshly baked and frosted cupcakes to both the fire station and the bus garage.   His love of the fire department was second only to that of his family.  Idolized by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Gramps was a constant in their lives and truly embodied all that a grandfather and true friend should be.  Gramps is and always will be the role model for all they aspire to be.   He built his personal relationships with the same pride and work ethic that he used in all his home improvement projects: Designed to last a lifetime. Bill gave all who knew him loving memories that they will treasure for eternity.   He was predeceased by his wife Mary Lou Wilson Weiss and siblings Marion E. Klapp, Millicent E. Van Zetten, and Robert W. Weiss.   Survivors include two sons, William E. Weiss, Jr. and his wife Patricia of Moore, SC and Richard H. Weiss and his wife Nancy of Loudonville, a brother H. Russell Weiss of Rensselaer, seven grandchildren, Lisa M. (Robert) Auermuller, Todd H. (Jaimie) Weiss, Brian J. (Melissa) Weiss, Michael J. Weiss, Sean R. (Hillary) Weiss, Keith A. (Deanna) Weiss, and Craig W. Weiss, and eleven great-grandchildren, Bryson, Noah, Faith, Tobey, Peyton, Dylan, Avery, Carter, Evelyn, Sadie, and Sawyer. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Colonie. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Colonie. Calling hours will be Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. in the funeral home.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fuller Road Fire Department, 1342 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205 in memory of past chief William E. Weiss, Sr.