Obituary of William La Grange

Westerlo: William (Bill) La Grange (101) passed away at the Fireman's Home in Hudson, NY on June 28, 2011. He was born in Greenville, NY on Jan. 18, 1910 son of the late Harry & Grace (Swartout) La Grange. Bill lived in Indian Fields and was a long time resident of Westerlo. For the past three years, he was a resident of the New York State Fireman's Home in Hudson. He attended the Greenville Academy and transferred to Ravena from which he graduated. Bill was married to the late Leona (Lee) Blair raising a family of three children. Bill started working on his grandfather's farm and after finishing school in Ravena; he worked for his father, Harry La Grange; in his dad's ice house, feed mill, saw mill, garage and ice cream parlor in Westerlo. He also drove one of his father's 13 trucks- - picking up and hauling milk to the various dairies in the Albany area. When his father retired, Bill went to work for Vogel Trucking in Albany as a mechanic. When his mother became ill he wanted to work closer to home so he could help care for her. He took a job at Clifford B. Hannay & Son, Inc. in Westerlo, which is now known as Hannay Reels. He worked as a mechanic in their garage and also worked with Clifford (Poppa) and Dwight Hannay - - making and adapting components for their fabrication machinery. He retired after 32 years of service. He was a member for 73 years and one of the founders of the Westerlo Vol. Fire Co. being the last surviving Charter Member. Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to all he met and shared a cup of coffee with. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Leona a great grandson Garrett Barton and a brother, W. Sidney La Grange. William is survived by his children: Harriet Bernard (Donald) of Westerlo, Margaret Maynes of Westmere and W. Wayne La Grange (Margaret) of Westerlo, nine grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren 15 great-great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Betty La Grange of Ramseur, NC, six nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11 AM at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, NY 12083. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 7 PM. The Westerlo Volunteer Fire Co. will meet at the funeral home at 6:30 PM for a 7 PM service. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may contribute in his memory to the Westerlo Vol. Fire Co. Light a candle at AJCunninghamFH.com.