William A “Bill” Dorn, 82, went quietly into the arms of God our Father on Wednesday October 26th after a long and hard fought battle with Myasthenia Gravis.
He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents Alfred Dorn and Martha J. (Zaluski) Dorn, his precious little sister Linda Dorn Wiggall and his lifelong best friend James J (Jimmy) Aquino.
He leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 57 years Barbara Jean (Bosh) Dorn and his three daughters, Laura (Jeffery) Wasyln of Owego, NY, Lisa Clauze of San Diego, CA and Linda Dorn (fiancé Gary Kintner) of Endicott, NY. He was Boppa to his pride and joy – grandchildren Anthony Dorn, Michael and Nicholas Wasyln, Aidan, Catherine and Barbie Clauze, Dylan Moelder, and great granddaughters Aubrie (Aubs) Correll and Anne (his little Annie) Dorn. He cherished his family and also leaves behind many special cousins, nieces and nephews.
Born September 26, 1940 in Alleghany County, PA, Bill graduated from Ambridge High school and joined the Navy at age 17. After Serving 4 years, he was accepted at Penn Technical College and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked briefly at Sears Roebuck in Ambridge, PA where he met Barb. After being hired by IBM Corporation, he and Barb were married October 16th 1965 and moved to Endicott, NY to build their life together.
Bill worked for over 30 years at IBM before retiring as a Project Manager in January 2000, after which he and Barb traveled frequently and enjoyed retirement.
An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he spent countless hours in the woods in his “bus stop” and enjoyed spending time with his Archery family at Neil’s Archery in Endicott.
If he wasn’t in the woods, he was tinkering in his garage, or doing “guy stuff” with his grandsons, and could fix or build anything.
He never missed a birthday or graduation, enjoyed every holiday with his family, and could always be found in the bleachers cheering on his daughters’ field hockey games and later his grandsons’ football basketball lacrosse or baseball games. He was his grandkids biggest fan.
Bill had a special gift that drew people to him and everyone who knew him loved him dearly. Many have said that he was larger than life, and he proved that again and again with his kind welcoming heart and gentle nature. He was always there with a strong hand shake or big hug, great conversation and never-ending sense of humor.
He will be missed so much by all who had the privilege of being a part of his life.
The family will receive friends Tuesday November 1st at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott from 5 pm-7 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday November 2nd at 10 am at Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. A burial with military honors will be held immediately following mass at Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s memory to Neil’s Archery and Cross Bow-Youth Education Program, 1460 Union Center Hwy-953 Endicott, NY 13760