William H Blanchard

William H. (Bill) Blanchard 89, of Rotterdam died peacefully January 2, 2006 at Kingsway Nursing Home.Born in Oneonta NY, on May 6, 1917 Bill was the son of the late Alice and Carl Blanchard. He moved to Schenectady at age 10 and graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1937. Bill married his loving wife Marie (Fitzpatrick) Blanchard in May1941 and moved to Rotterdam. Bill served in the US Army during WWII with the 65th Engineer Combat Battalion and saw action on the front lines in Germany. Bill was an active member of the Calvary Baptist Church; a 50 year member of the Masons, a former Shriner and a member of the Rotterdam Elks. Bill was employed at the General Electric Company for 43 years in the Large Motor Generator stockroom/parts Department. After retirement Bill stayed active, traveling with his wife Marie, spent time at the camp with his granddaughters and was an avid golfer belonging to 3 different golf leagues. Bill is predeceased by his parents, his loving wife Marie (Fitzpatrick) Blanchard and his sister Mildred (Blanchard) Bronk. Bill is survived by his son Richard (Lewellyne) Blanchard of Yorkville, NY; daughter Arlene (Walter) Wojtowicz of Duanesburg NY, son Robert (Pamela) Blanchard of Plattsburgh, NY, his sister Marian (Blanchard)Allen of Rotterdam and special friend Mary Reynolds of Boyton Beach FI. Bill had 9 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon January 6,2007 at 12:30 pm at Bond Funeral Home, Broadway & Guilderland Ave, Schenectady. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 pm. Interment in Evergreen Memorial Park in Colonie, NY. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, NY 12206 or the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children Burn Institute 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114.