William E. DeLair, Jr.
PHOENIX – William E. DeLair, Jr (age 90) passed away on July 7, 2020 surrounded by his family at his home in Phoenix. Bill was born June 27th, 1930; the son of William E. DeLair, Sr and Catherine Harriet (Pitts) DeLair of Wynantskill, New York. The oldest of four children. When he was old enough he worked in the Mill with his Grandfather DeLair. He attended and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1948 where he played varsity baseball.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving in the post Korean War ERA. Upon separation from the Army, he attended Rensselear Polytechnic Institute on the GI Bill, where he graduated with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation he accepted a position with General Electrical Computer Systems. He worked for G.E. and I.B.M. before accepting a position with G.E Process Control in Phoenix. He had an entrepreneurial spirit. He went to work for Transdata Corporation in 1968 and was elected President in 1970. He founded DeLair Data Systems, Inc. in 1974 which was eventually acquired by MediSolutions, Inc. out of Canada. Bill retired on October 31, 2003.
He was affiliated with many business organizations but the Rotary Club and EAGP (Executive Association of Greater Phoenix) which was a business club whose purpose was to help fellow members he found to be most rewarding. He was a member of The First United Methodist Church where he and Sandy were married.
In 1980 we purchased a Cabin in Munds Park and for 38 years we enjoyed cool weather in the summers to get away from the sizzling summer temperatures in Phoenix. Bill commuted on weekends until he retired and could join us for most of the summer. The kids all came up on holidays and weekends and the fourth of July was always a favorite. We made many friends up North who we still see today. Most of us played golf and joined the women’s club and the men’s club. Weekends were family outings when any of the kids were around. Bill enjoyed golfing and tennis, and softball with all the kids as they grew up. During the winter, he and his wife were members of the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club. He was not only a wonderful loving Husband, a wonderful caring father, a great brother to his three siblings and Uncle to many nieces and nephews.His love of family was his greatest gift of all. He will be missed by all.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and just recently his sister Catherine (DeLair) Karpiak and husband David D. Karpiak of Dallas,TX , a son S Michael DeLair and a daughter Kendra Kae (DeLair) Curtis. He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years Sandra (Schoning) DeLair, daughters Susan Gayle DeLair, Patricia (DeLair) Pulcipher and Greg Pulcipher, Carolyn (DeLair) Raschke and Robert Raschke, Kristen Kae (DeLair) Lyons, and “Miracle Angel” Kaelee Nevilyn DeLair, and a son William M. DeLair and Shelley, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and soon to be four in January 2021, all from the Phoenix area. He is survived by his siblings; Milton DeLair and Patricia of South Carolina, Anna (DeLair) and John VanWie of New York and several nieces and nephews. Death leaves heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Due to the Corona Virus a private Memorial Service was held on July 31st where he is interned at Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Donations in his memory can be made to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower Phoenix, AZ 85014, Smile Train P.O. Box 96231 Washington DC 20090-6231 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105.