HAMILTON – William R. McNeiece III, 67, of River Road, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester.
He was born August 3, 1940 in Goshen, a son of William R., Jr. and Anne Dingman McNeiece. He was a graduate of Cornwall High School in Warwick, and completed a four-year apprenticeship in the field of construction in New York City. William was united in marriage to The Reverend Elizabeth R. H. Gillett on Sept. 11, 2004 in Grace Episcopal Church, Utica. He had previously been married to the former Valerie N. Swanstrom, and later to the former Connie M. Foster who predeceased him on Dec. 3, 2003.
Mr. McNeiece was the C.E.O. and President of Park City Builders of New York, Inc., Eaton Street Partners LLC, and River Road Land Development Co., all of Hamilton. He was a nature lover who appreciated the land and wildlife, and was especially fond of hummingbirds. He enjoyed maintaining the fields around his home, and making improvements to his gardens each year. His favorite source of relaxation was swimming laps in his pool.
William was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Utica. His church and his faith were a very important part of his life, and were central to his values and who he was. During his life, he was active in various parishes, and the life of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, where he served on the Diocesan Board as Vice President and Property Committee Chairman. He was also Chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Chairman of the Stewardship Committee, a Lay Reader and an instructor of acolytes in the parishes to which he belonged.
Also a very civic minded person, William was an active member and twice past president of the Hamilton Rotary Club. He was also a member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club of New Hartford and the Fort Schuyler Club in Utica. He was a resident of Connecticut for many years, where he was very involved in his community serving as magistrate, sewer commissioner, fire commissioner, and a member of the Eagle Hose Co. and the Citizens Engine Co. He was also a member and Past Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge, as well as a member of the Shriners, the Knights Templar and the Republican Committee.
Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth; his mother, Anne (McNeiece) Hipsley, Port Charlotte, FL; father-in-law, Dr. James A. Gillett, Utica, NY; his children, Lisa (Bruce) McNeiece Stetson, Ansonia, CT; William R. (Brenda) McNeiece, IV, Southbury, CT; John (Terry) McNeiece, Plymouth, CT; Laura (John) Boanno, Torrington, CT; brothers, Joseph (Rose) McNeiece, Crossville, TN; Martin (Rhonda) McNeiece, Clearwater, FL; his step-children, Terry Colabella, and Christine (Daniel) Stith, Hamilton, NY; and Martin (Lisa) Colabelli, Norwich, NY. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, six step-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
A Service of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Grace Episcopal Church, 6 Elizabeth St. at the corner of Genesee St., Utica.
Following the service there will be a reception at the Colgate Inn, Payne St., Hamilton.
Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Hamilton.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 25 Broad St., Hamilton, on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Contributions in his memory are requested to the William R. McNeiece III Foundation, PO Box 356, Hamilton, NY 13346.