William "Bill" Wilson died peacefully in his sleep on October 16th, 2022 at age 95. He was born in a two-room tenement apartment in Glasgow, Scotland on March 30, 1927 to Jane (Scouler), a laundress, and John Wilson, a twice-wounded veteran of WW1, who served with the Gordon Highlanders Scottish Regiment on the Western Front.

William immigrated with his parents in 1928, passing through Ellis Island and settling with other relatives in Niagara Falls, NY. He was a proud graduate of Gaskill Junior High School and Niagara Falls High School, class of '45. As a youth, he was an avid swimmer, Hyde Park Creek hockey player, soap box derby participant, and enjoyed a wide circle of neighborhood friends, happily participating in their hijinks.

Joining the US Navy in 1945, he was posted to the USS Taylor in San Diego. After discharge, he attended Sampson College under the GI Bill, then transferred to Hamilton College, Clinton NY, where he played lacrosse, studied mathematics, and graduated in the Class of '50. A love of learning and languages sparked at Hamilton lasted his entire life.

After graduation, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Lois (Reisig) Wilson and they began their life together in Philadelphia, PA, where Bill completed his MA in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. His first job, as a high school teacher, took them to Croghan, NY. Subsequently, Bill worked as an Assistant Secretary of Admissions for Hamilton College, as a statistical engineering analyst for General Electric in Utica and Syracuse NY, and for the NY State Bureau of Research and Tax Statistics in Albany NY, where he retired as Bureau Director.

Bill and Lois made their home in Schenectady for many years, where he was a member of the St. Andrews Society, the Tax Alumni Club, and local Swiss and German clubs. Each Christmas saw him ringing the Salvation Army bell outside the Niskayuna Coop. Bill and Lois enjoyed a long and happy retirement and made numerous trips to explore their families' roots in Scotland, England, Switzerland, and Germany. Bill was an enthusiastic supporter of all his grandchildren's sporting and artistic endeavors, never missing a chance to cheer them on as their biggest fan.

A sports and outdoor enthusiast, Bill enjoyed beer-league hockey, cycling, camping, fishing, and Adirondack hiking. He was an ADK 46'r (#2299) and completed the 135-mile Northville-Lake Placid Trail. By far, his favorite outdoor activity was skiing. Accompanied by many dear friends and family, he traveled in pursuit of powder to 9 states, Europe, Canada, and New Zealand. With enviable grace and style, he pointed 'em downhill through his 90th year.

Bill always had a song to sing and possessed a compendious knowledge of the Great American Songbook. We will now and forever sing the song of Bill's life: generosity, kindness, charity, intelligence, wit, and fun. He devoted his life to his family and friends and was loved by all who knew him. His was truly a life well lived.

Bill lost his beloved Lois in 2021, after 71 years of marriage. He was predeceased by his brother John Wilson and his sister-in-law Linda (Moeller) Wilson of Cincinnati. He is survived by his sister Ellen Wilson of Niagara Falls and several cousins in the UK. He leaves his children Peter (Cindy) Wilson of Worcester, MA, Jane (Joseph) Hendrick of Schenectady, and Susan (Chris) Guba of Ballston Lake. He also leaves nephew Ben (Elizabeth) Wilson and their sons Jack and Benny. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Jessica (Michael) Bickoff, Evan Wilson, Matthew (Sarah) Wilson, Anna Hendrick (Mark Thyrring), Gordon Hendrick, Madeline (Joseph) Leone, Sam (Tricia) Guba, Jack Guba (fiancé Rupali Srivastava). He leaves beloved great-grandchildren Jacob and Colin Bickoff, Charlotte and Autumn Wilson, Luca and Maria Leone, and Olivia Guba.

In memory of Bill, dress up snazzy, mix a martini, put on "Moonglow" and dance the night away. A gathering to celebrate his life will be announced at a future date. Remembrances may be left in his guestbook at www.legacy.com.