William F. Webster, 88, of Ulster Park

William F. Webster, 88, of Clay Road, Ulster Park, a lifelong resident of the Port Ewen and Ulster Park area, died on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, at Ten Broeck Commons.

He was born in Connelly, N.Y., on Oct. 2, 1929, a son of the late William and Grace Houghtaling Webster.

At the age of 18, Bill joined the Port Ewen Fire Dept. because it was a requirement to become a member of the Port Ewen Drum Corps. Known as one of the skilled handymen at the fire department, he remained a volunteer member, attaining the distinction of PEFD “Life Member” in 1973, serving the Port Ewen community with loyal dedication of more than 70 years. Bill also served as a Port Ewen Fire Commissioner for over 25 years. One of Bill’s greatest joys in life was to drive the Port Ewen Fire Dept. antique Sanford fire pumper in the annual Town of Esopus Memorial Day Parade.

For over 37 years, Bill was employed as a toolmaker for IBM in Poughkeepsie. He loved camping and fishing, and would often travel throughout the country on fishing trips to Canada with his son, John. As a skilled and talented woodworker contractor, Bill built his own home in Ulster Park. He also enjoyed rose gardening.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Josephine (Smith) Webster; one son, John Webster and his wife, Marie, of Saugerties; daughter, Gail Soura and her husband, Paul, of Lakeland, Fla.; daughter, Joann (Jody) Wolf of Saugerties; one sister, Ruth Doyle of Lake Katrine; four grandchildren, Keith and Amelia Soura, and Erica and Nicholas Wolf; two step-grandchildren, Michelle Rios and Keith Menges; and one great-grandson, Monte Rios.

He is predeceased by an infant daughter, Mary Webster, and one sister, Barbara Benton.

The Webster family has entrusted the Gilpatric-Van-Vliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus, with the care and funeral arrangements for Bill.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 4 p.m. Sunday, with the Rev. Dr. David M. Brechter officiating.

Burial and committal service in Riverview Cemetery, Port Ewen, will be held in the spring.

In lieu of fresh flowers, the family suggests indoor plants for loved ones to take home and nurture in memory of Bill, or consider a contribution in Bill’s memory to The Port Ewen Fire Department, P.O. Box 832, Port Ewen, N.Y. 12466.

Send the family an expression of condolence by visiting Bill’s Book of Memories at www.GVVFH.com.