Obituary of William E. Loetterle, III

BERNE - William E. Loetterle, III, age 67, passed away suddenly on Sunday evening, March 4, 2012 at his residence. Born in Catskill on August 8, 1944, he was son of Katherine Salisbury Loetterle and the late William E. Loetterle, Jr. Bill was raised on the family farm in Westerlo. He graduated from Berne-Knox High School, Junior College of Albany and Russell Sage College with a Bachelor's in Economics. Bill served in the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1965. He worked at GE in Schenectady from 1966 to 1988, and continued as a consultant until 2000. Bill also served as an Albany County Coroner from 1978 until 2002, then as confidential secretary in the Coroner's office until retiring in October 2010. He was a member of the NYS Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners. Bill was a longtime member of both Berne and Rensselaerville Fire Companies, serving as Assistant Chief in Berne in 1985, and Chief in Berne from 1986 to 1989, and as Chief in Rensselaerville from 1992 to 2001. He was a member of the Albany County Rural Chiefs Association, and Clark White Post 589 American Legion in Rensselaerville, and served as a Coach for Berne Little League. Bill served as Democratic Town Chairman in Rensselaerville, and was a member of the Berne and Rensselaerville Democratic Social Clubs. He was a longtime Mason and member of Noah Lodge in Altamont, and the Cyprus Shrine Temple in Albany, where he served as Jester and was on the director's staff at the Shrine. Bill was a past member of Westerlo Reformed Church and attended First Reformed Church of Berne. He enjoyed deer hunting and watching Westerns and action movies. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Susanne "Sue" Rice Loetterle; two sons, William E. Loetterle IV and Jonathan James Loetterle; one brother, Richard (Anne) Loetterle; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William (Jeannette) Rice; nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., and a combined Fire Company service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in Rensselaerville Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Berne Fire Company, Rensselaerville Fire Company or the National Kidney Foundation will be appreciated. Light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.