William Kirchner

Middleburgh: William G. "Bill" Kirchner, 87, of Cliffside Apartments, died Sunday, May 2, 2010, peacefully at his home following a brief illness.

Bill was born on July 28, 1922 in Stapleton, Staten Island, NY, a son of the late Isabelle (O'Connor) and William A. Kirchner.

Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and volunteered for Armed Guard Duty. He served twelve convoy trips, two to the Mediterranean Sea from Casa Blanca to ports of North Africa, Tunusia and Sicily and in the North Atlantic to England, Belgium and France. Bill also saw submarine and enemy aircraft action. He attained the rank of Boatsman's Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Bill worked for the City of New York for 28 years and retired as a blacksmith from the Department of Sanitation.

He moved from Staten Island to Rickard Hill Road in Schoharie in 1977 before coming to Middleburgh.

Bill attended Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Middleburgh, NY. He was a member of the Middelburgh Golden Age Club and a former member of the 50 Plus Club in Schoharie, NY.

Bill was active with the American Legion in Staten Island and joined the American Legion Post # 1261 in Schoharie, NY.

Bill was married on July 4, 1945 to Arlene K. (LipTrott) Kirchner. She predeceased him on August 27, 1990.

He is survived by his longtime companion: Marion Zach of Middleburgh, NY; his daughters: Arlene (Stephen) Shako and Kathleen Menzies all of Schoharie, NY; his son: William J. (Linda Clow) Kirchner of Sloansville, NY; daughter-in-law: Linda Kirchner of Schoharie, NY; granddaughters: Emily (Robert Marr) Shako of Schoharie, NY and Sarah (Michael) Ward of Gloversville, NY; grandsons: Brent (Adriana) Shako of Albany, NY and Stuart (Christina Fisher) of the Town of Charleston, NY; great-grandchildren: Ashley Ward and Owen Ward, both of Gloversville, NY and Jocelyn Shako of Albany, NY

There will be no public funeral service or visitation. Family and friends are invited to a graveside service with full military honors at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY, at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, May 5, 2010.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 795 East Main Street, Suite 11, Cobleskill, NY 12043 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Center, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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