William E. Sullivan

Waterloo - William "Bill" Sullivan passed away peacefully, after a brief illness on Friday, March 11th at Geneva General Hospital with his children at his side.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, March 16th from 3 - 6 PM at Doran Funeral Home, 4 East Bayard Street, Seneca Falls. A Celebration of Life will follow at 6:30 PM at Clam Man's Party House, 67 Auburn Rd., Seneca Falls. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 17th at 10 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in St. Columbkille Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Lucille (Marrapese) Sullivan, who passed away on October 27, 2006.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone wishing to make a donation in Bill's name, to please support the Foster Grandparent Program, c/o Wayne County Action Program, Inc., 159 Montezuma St., Lyons, NY 14489.

Bill was born on April 29, 1938 in Seneca Falls, the son of James L. Sullivan and Margaret (McQuay) Sullivan. Next month, he would have celebrated his 84th birthday. Bill graduated from Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls. He was selected to attend Boys State and was active in the Future Farmers of America Club. Bill attended college at Alfred State University and served for several years with the New York National Guard, headquartered in Geneva.

Bill was the co-owner of Moore's Furniture in Waterloo for over 30 years. Being of retirement age but not ready to retire, he went to work for his son-in-law, Larry Smith, at B.E. Wright in Seneca Falls and worked for 15 more years. Bill enjoyed playing golf and spending time with family and friends. In the spring and summer months, Bill could be found entertaining friends on his patio, where there was always lots of laughter and issues of the day were discussed and debated.

Before moving to Indian Hills in Waterloo, Bill lived in Seneca Falls where he and Lucille raised their three children. Their home was always filled with the laughter of good friends and family. They loved to host parties and in the summer their pool was a gathering place for their children's friends. Everyone was always welcome at their home. In later years, Bill and Lucille, became snow birds, and spent many winters in Florida where they gained many new, lifelong friends.

Bill was a wonderful father, firm but kind, loving and patient. He served as his son, Bobby's, Little League coach and at one time, was President of the Seneca Falls Little League Association. Bill was a "Girl Dad" to his daughters Diane and Barbara, long before it was a cool thing to be.

Bill loved his grandchildren with the same passionate intensity as his children and was thrilled when he became a great-grandparent last year. "Papa", as he was called by his grandchildren, had a way with children and could calm the fussiest baby with a few soft words and the gentle stroke of his hand. It was one of the reasons he became a Foster Grandparent. He loved the 4 year olds that he worked with at Skoi-Yase school and in particular one little girl who would run to greet him each day. He chuckled at their funny questions and enjoyed their pure innocence and candor.

Bill is survived by his children, Diane (Sullivan) Smith, Bobby (Susan) Sullivan and Barbara (Mark) Walling; grandchildren, Ryan (Liz) Smith, Eric (Stacie) Smith, Emily and Rachel Sullivan and Matthew, Adam and Lauren Walling; great-grandson, Larry Smith; sisters, Marilyn (Sullivan) Aldrich, Jean (Joseph) Zeoli and Joan Sullivan-Grela, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and a host of friends far and wide, including a special friend, Mary Ellis.

Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lucille and his son-in-law, Larry Smith, who he loved as a son.