William Edward Avery, 87, of Orange City, FL died peacefully on September 25th, 2015 after struggling with an extensive medical history. ” Bill Avery” was known and loved by friends and family all over this country. Bill was survived by his wife of 60 years, Kathleen H. Avery, of Orange City, FL.. Also his four children, Joseph H. Avery, and wife Linda of Deland, FL. And Kathy A. Avery of Copake, NY. And William E. Avery Jr. and his wife Wendy, of Millerton, NY and Robert E. Avery and his wife Liz. Of Amenia, NY. His 14 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.
On an especially fine day in July of 1928, Mrs. Edna Avery and Mr. Joseph Avery, farmers in the Dry Brook valley, in upstate NY, gave birth to William Edward Avery. His early years were marred by battles with polio, even so, he helped his dad and older brother, Francis as they worked the fields and raised vegetables that they sold in NYC. After he graduated high school, Bill worked for the local dairy association as a milk tester. One day while working at a farm, he was introduced to a young lady that really stole his heart. Miss Kathleen Hillriegel, valedictorian of her high school class and the oldest of nine siblings. Bill and Kathleen waited for marriage while Kathleen graduated a teacher at Oneonta State College and Bill went of to war. It was January, 1952 and Bill Avery enlisted in the United States Air Force. Bill served his country at several state side bases and then served in Okinawa. Bill Avery was with 3080th Support Squadron, as a supply sergeant. After serving for four years, while still on active duty at Caribou Air Force Station, in Main, Bill and Kathleen married. They first settled in Main, Bill worked at a Western Auto Store and Kathleen taught school. They saved every nickel and moved to Millerton, NY. There they opened a Western Auto Store, like the one in Main. Retail seemed to suit Bill, as he quickly developed his business abilities and his store was welcomed into the town. Kathleen and Bill started a family there. Bill’s dad pasted on and his mom came to stay with them. Most mornings people would see Edna Avery pushing a carriage up and down the street with little Joe Avery while his dad worked the store and mother was teaching school. Every one was busy and everyone was loved. Life wasn’t easy then and money was tight. Bill took on a night shift at the local paper plant; And tried to work the store during the day. His mom would come in at times and help run the store. While working the store, Bill was introduced to insurance sales. So he took what he learned from working with farmers and soldiers and store customers and stuck his neck out to find a better way to provide for his family. Above all, Bill loved his family. He sold the store, and started selling insurance. Kathleen still taught school and along came their second child, Kathy Ann Avery. Bill worked hard at selling, and bought their first house. Life was grand. Bill’s brother had stayed on the farm after their dad had died. He finally sold off the livestock and closed up the farm. He moved to a job at a state institution in Wasaic, NY. That place was only two towns south of Millerton. Bill found out from his brother about work there. Bill got a job in the safety dept. and now had health insurance for his whole family. He still sold insurance during the day, but worked a three to eleven shift at Wasaic. Bill won a new car form the insurance co. and also a cruse to the Bahamas. Kathleen gave up teaching while she worked a raising her children. After Kathy, Kathleen gave birth to a pair of twin boys. William Edward Avery, Jr. and Robert Erik Avery. We had a house full. Bill had converted the formal dining room to make it an office. Bill sold insurance and prepared tax returns in that office. As Bill worked at Wasaic, he found many promotional opportunities. Eventually he found a job in social services. He really liked this kind of work. He did so well at it that they gave him a chance to go to college to take the classes he needed to jump several pay grades and work as a “social worker”. The work was very rewarding, and people loved to have him work with them. Bill enjoyed helping the clients find jobs and housing. Bill and Kathleen also enjoyed the fellowship of their local church. They were active members at North East Baptist Church. Bill was a Sunday school Superintendent for a while and both he and Kathleen taught classes. He also served as a Trustee and a Deacon. Of all the things Bill learned in life, He would always point to Kathleen and say “God blessed me with her” , “Kathleen told me the truth about God. She made it very clear. She showed me in her bible what God said about my life and how He died on the cross to pay for my sin. She told me she loved me but God loved me more.” Bill found Salvation in the Lord Jesus, and after that took Kathleen for a wife. Eventually they found Orange City, FL. They liked to vacation here and while on vacation found a duplex on the north end of town. They had four years to go before retirement. Bill had a picture of their Florida home on the wall at work. He would count off the days till he could retire in FL.
