| Notes |
- William "Bill" D. Wilson
January 26, 1935 - October 1, 2022
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) D. Wilson, of Niagara Falls, New York. Bill passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on October 1, 2022. Son of Ruth (Thomas)(Murray) McDonnell and Robert Wilson. He was 87 years old, and is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Charlene Ann (Reeh) Wilson, and three children, Donna (Steve) Fournier of Niagara Falls, Lori (Mike) Rozanski of Niagara Falls, and Kevin (Gina) Wilson of Hockessin, Delaware. He was the loving grandfather of Michael Rozanski, Michelle Rozanski, Chelsea Rozanski, Zachary Rozanski, William Fournier, Rachel Fournier, Christopher Wilson and Monica Joy Imbrenda, and twelve great-grandchildren. Family was central to Bill and he loved spending time with them all. Known for his sense of humor, he loved to make his grandchildren and great grandchildren laugh.
Bill served in the Navy, then went on to a career with Local 129, Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, as a Welder and foreman on countless construction sites in the region. Bill served on the Local’s Executive Committee, and was regarded as a leader of men, instrumental in crafting pension reforms still benefitting members today. Upon retirement, Bill was able to pursue his passion for the arts full time.
His notable career as an artist began at Niagara County Community College, where he studied painting, became an apprentice under Canadian portrait painter Thomas Cayley, and studied portrait sculpture under Paul Atkins at SUNY Buffalo. Ultimately, Bill’s talent found its home in sculpture. His work is found throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada, including the Homer Watson Art Museum, jewelry lines for Wedgewood of England, International Silver Company, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museums, in private collections and galleries and exhibits. Bill presided over the Niagara-on-the-Lake Art Society for close to two decades. He generously donated his artwork and time to many non-profit organizations, and taught drawing for sculpture at Niagara University and sculpture techniques in different materials for many arts groups. Bill was especially proud to receive the Burchfield-Penney Art Center ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award.
Active in the arts community, Bill was a member of the Buffalo Society of Artists and a founding member of the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (the NACC), home to his studio, where his sculptures have enriched the grounds and galleries for many years. Bill was known as the ‘Herd Doctor’ for the Niagara Council of the Arts’ public art project ‘Herd About Buffalo’, repairing damaged or vandalized buffaloes and contributing several of his own—Elvis, Dr. Jerry, and Bart Simpson. A whimsical, giant 10-foot colorful “Tinker-Toy”-inspired bird adorned the grounds of the Albright Knox Art Gallery. He was commissioned to create sculptures for Snapple Tea Company, WNED, Channel 17 in Buffalo, Sisters of Mercy in Buffalo, and many other organizations and private collections.
Bill found beauty and fancy in everyday objects. His generosity with his time and talent was beyond measure. Bill’s sense of humor and gentle, humble spirit will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Western New York Artist Group, 1 Linwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY or other local artist organization.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 7th at Lane Funeral Home, 8622 Buffalo Avenue, Niagara Falls, New York, from 3:00 to 5:45pm, with services held at 5:45pm.
|
1935 - 2022 (87 years)