Obituary of William Greer

William F. Greer Sr., 89, of Schenectady, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2011 after a long illness. Bill was born in Manhattan on November 30, 1921 to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Greer. Educated in New York City, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in February 1942 at Fort Dix following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was sent to basic training in Indiana as part of the 38th Infantry Division. Bill served as a tech sergeant throughout the Southern Pacific region, being honorably discharged in November 1945. He received many medals, including a Purple Heart. After returning to the U.S., Bill was visiting family in Schenectady, where he met Mary Grennan, whom he married six months later, on June 19, 1946. Following 15 years at ALCO, Bill worked as a boilermaker, representing Local 197, retiring in 1983. Bill was a member of the DAV, the AmVets, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. He was also a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church. William Sr. is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Greer; one daughter, Mary Jane; sons, Thomas, William Jr., and John, all children residing near the Schenectady area; grandchildren, Nancy C. Guntert, Thomas W. Greer, William K. Greer, Nicole M. Sorrentino, Kathleen A. Truscillo, Sharon I. Braddock, David J. Greer, and Maribeth R. Greer; and six great-grandchildren. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Daly's Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Funeral Service Monday morning, 8:30 from the Daly Funeral Home and 9:00 at St. John the Evangelist Church, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated . Interment will follow at the Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association or Hospice of Schenectady