Obituary of William "Bill" G. Lewis

OBITUARY William George Lewis (Bill) of Preble, NY, the son of the late George A. Lewis and Julia K. (Marsico) Lewis went on to meet them in heaven along with his two siblings, Delores T. Tower and Robert R. Lewis who preceded him in death. Also preceded in death were brother-in-law Donald Tower, nephew, David Tower and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Charlene and Edward Galbally. Bill Lewis passed away peacefully on Saturday February 17, 2024 at St. Joseph's hospital in Syracuse, NY surrounded by loved ones. Bill was born in Cortland, NY on Thursday, October 17, 1946. Bill lived in Preble nearly 75 years with a short 2 years in apartments in Cortland prior to building a house in Preble. Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Dawn L. (Gamel) Lewis. Also surviving are a loving daughter, Lori C. Porter (Jim) of Cortland, NY, and two great sons, William G. Lewis II of Sanborn, NY and David C. Gamel (Melissa) of Lewis Center, OH. Bill has five grandchildren, Matthew J. Porter (Nicole) of Middletown, NJ, Julia C. Porter of Homer, NY, William J. Lewis of Sanborn, NY, Katherine E. Lewis of Sanborn, NY, and Edward D. Gamel of Lewis Center, OH. Bill was blessed with a great grandson, Milo James Porter, in August 2022 and has another great grandson due in June. Bill has several nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends. He wanted special acknowledgements to his niece, Tina Straub, and nephews, Robert (Bobby) Lewis and Carl Lewis and great-nephews, Kenneth Straub, Kyle Straub, and Robert (Bobby) Lewis Jr., and a great-niece, Carleigh Lewis. He listed some special friends including: Howie Miller; Mike Currie and the Currie boys, Hunter, Cole, and Dalton, and great neighbors Jim and Melissa Crysler and his adopted grandsons, Aiden and John Crysler, special close time friends, Don and Rene Palmer and many others from Smith Corona and Rubbermaid, who made working there fun. He thanked Ron and Louise DeMers, Andy Brush (Terry), Ronald Smith (Sara), Lynn Bloodgood, and Bill Hutching. He also wanted to acknowledge great friends who predeceased him: Edward (Ted) Fox, Jeff Dans, Edward Randall, and Maynard Wells. Bill graduated from Homer High School in 1965, and attended TC3. For most of his career, Bill worked as an engineer at SCM and was a major contributor to the expansion of the Rubbermaid facility in Cortland. He also worked for Carrier in Syracuse and Hadco in Owego. Bill was a member of the Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Mason local Cortlandville 470 chapter. He coached David Harum Little League baseball in Homer and loved every minute of it. Bill most enjoyed deer hunting with his son, Bill II with a bow and muzzle-loader. He had a passion for bass fishing and was a past member of Crown City Bass Masters in Homer. He enjoyed camping and traveling and being outside. He often said that everyone should travel and experience Alaska at least once. Bill leaves this life with hopes that there is peace in the world and a cure for all diseases. Calling hours will be at Wright-Beard Funeral Home in Cortland, NY on Friday, February 23, 2024 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, beginning with a brief Masonic acknowledgement. There will be a funeral service immediately after calling hours at 3:00 PM, followed by interment at Willow Glen Cemetery in Dryden, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill's name to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, The American Kidney Foundation, Loaves and Fishes of Cortland, The American Cancer Society, or The Center for the Arts in Homer. To offer condolences online visit, www.wright-beard.com