William H. Collier, 88, of Kerhonkson
William H. Collier of Kerhonkson, N.Y., passed away on Friday, Sept. 30, 2016, at Vassar Brothers Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old.
Bill was born on Oct. 12, 1927, in Pawling, N.Y. He was the son of William H. and Johanna (Morrissey) Collier.
Bill graduated from Pawling High School, the Class of 1944. He attended Cornell for a year, taking classes in agriculture before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Bill attended Fordham University for the next two years. He eventually found his calling in the automotive industry and opened The Collier Motor Car Company in Ellenville, where he remained for over 44 years. Bill was a communicant of St. Mary and St. Andrew Church. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn “Pidge” (Peterson) Collier, whom he married on June 8, 1952; their children, William H. Collier III (Shelley) of Ellenville, Jane Joray (Gregg) of Napanoch, Stephen Collier (Natalie) of Cottekill, and David Collier (Jackie) of Ellenville; his sister, Kathryn Quattrochi of Pittsfield, Mass.; grandchildren Geoffrey Joray, Erik Collier, Kristen LeMoine, Brian Collier, Jacqueline Joray, Julie Chaness, Jessica Collier, and Tyler Joray; and great-grandchildren, Miles Joray, Erika Collier, Magdalina Joray, Keira Collier, Tanner LeMoine, and William “Little Bill” Collier. Bill was predeceased by his son, Robert Collier, as well as three sisters and one brother.
Bill was active in numerous organizations, including the Lions Club (Brewster), Putnam County Hospital, Village of Brewster Deputy Mayor, Ellenville Community Hospital, Noonday Club, Ulster County Community College Foundation, Hospice of Ulster and Dutchess County, Historic Preservation Commission, Friends of Historic Rochester, and supported many worthwhile causes. For many years, he was a director and secretary of the board of the former Ellenville National Bank.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at H.B. Humiston Funeral Home, 30 42nd St., Kerhonkson, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 a.m., St. Mary and St. Andrew Church, 137 S. Main St., Ellenville. Burial will follow at Fantinekill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill’s name to St. Mary and St. Andrew Church, Ellenville, or to Shadowland Theatre, Ellenville.
To send a personal condolence to Bill’s family, please visit www.humistonfuneralhome.com.