CANISTEO - William C. Gielen, 72, of County Route 119,
passed away Sunday (October 13, 2019) at St James Hospital.
Born in Hornell, November 18, 1946, the son of Henry “Hank”
and Lelah Karns Gielen, he had resided in Canisteo during his early life. He
was a graduate of Canisteo Central School, Class of 1964, and had attended
Morrisville College.
Bill was employed as a service representative for the former
NCR in Hornell for several years. In 1983, he moved to Virginia for one year
where he was employed for ICR. He then moved to North Carolina where he resided
for 21 years prior to moving back to Canisteo in 2006. After retirement, he
drove for Covered Wagon in Hornell. He was President of the 1st Flight Society
and active in the Civil Air Patrol. Bill was a longtime member and former Chief
of the Collington Fire Department in North Carolina. He was also an Advanced
Intermediate EMT for the department.
He was predeceased by his parents and daughter; Cheryl
Palumbo.
He is survived by his wife; Bonnie Bancroft Gielen of
Canisteo, his daughters; Michele Wimpelberg of Canisteo and Lisa Kay Beasley of
North Carolina, his son; William H. Gielen of North Carolina, his step-son;
William (Renee) Roche of Hornell, his step-daughter; Jacquelyn Updyke of
Canisteo, and his sister; Phyllis Bergquist of Wisconsin, 10 Grandchildren and
4 great grandchildren.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit
www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook@brownpowersfh. The family is
being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.
The family will be present to receive friends at the Brown
& Powers Funeral Home, 6 Spruce St., Canisteo on Saturday (Oct. 19, 2019)
from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. where services will be held immediately following
calling hours. A graveside service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Canisteo. Friends
wishing, in lieu of flowers, may make memorial contributions to the Canisteo
Fire Department, Main Street, Canisteo, NY 14823.
