Obituary of Robert H. Wille

Mr. Robert H. Wille, 93, formerly of S. Kingsboro Ave., Gloversville, New York and of Arkell Hall, died Monday, October 31, 2011 at Palatine Nursing Home. Born on April 10, 1918 in Gloversville, NY, he was the son of Howard Wille and Gertrude Schreiber Wille. He was a graduate of Gloversville High School, class of 1935 and of the former Gloversville Business School. Mr. Wille had been a resident of Canajoharie from 1951. Mr. Wille was an assistant treasurer at Beech-Nut in Canajoharie, retiring after 30 years of service in 1981. He was a member of the Beech-Nut 25 year club. He was also employed with Arkell Hall Foundation until retiring for the 2nd time. In 1956 he was hired part time as an accountant. He began working full time for Arkell in 1980. He served as treasurer and trustee, being named to the board in 1985. In 1995 Mr. Wille retired from the foundation but remained a trustee. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Army as a Master Sergeant from May 1943 to February 1946. Mr. Wille was a member of the Canajoharie United Methodist Church, where he served as a former member of the Administrative Board and Treasurer. Some of Bob's pastimes included being an accomplished musician, a pianist for many years. He played with the Freddy Clute Band and other area dance bands. Venues included Caroga Lake in the 40's, Colgate University and West Point. His interests included classic automobile history and he often spoke of driving his Airflow Desoto to Washington, DC. Bob enjoyed spending time with his family and special family vacations over the years to Cape Cod, MA. Mr. Wille is predeceased by his parents and his wife of 45 years, Marilyn Conover Wille. He was also blessed with a second marriage to Etta Clute Wille. She preceded him in death on May 20, 2011. He is survived by his son, Mark Wille and his wife, Kathy of Mercerville, NJ; daughter, Gayle Spraker and her husband, David of Canajoharie, NY; sister, Eleanor Luizzi and her husband, Tom of Taylors, SC; step-daughters, Carolyn Clute Brown of New Port Richey, FL, Cheryl Marshall of Auburn, NY; granddaughter, Mara Spraker of Canajoharie, NY; step-granddaughters, Emily Marshall of Ithaca, NY, Jenny Marshall of Auburn, NY, Kami Race of Hudson, NY, Trisha Brown of Tempe, AZ; several nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 10:00am at the Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY, with Rev. Alan Griffith officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 4-7pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Gloversville, NY.