William E. Greer, 92, a resident of Dutchess County for 13 years and formerly of Mamaroneck, passed peacefully and with great dignity on Monday, October 4, 2010 at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh, rejoining his beloved wife of 66 years, Gladys, who predeceased him on April 4, 2007.

William was born in Mount Clemens, MI on May 31, 1918, the son of John Edward Greer and Grace Isabel Bates. When he was 2 years old, his father died in World War I as an aviator pilot. His mother married William J. McGrath in 1924 and he raised William as his son. At the age of 18, William enlisted in the US Merchant Marines and toured Spain, France and Africa as a Deck Cadet. He then served in the US Navy during World War II as an Aviation Machinist Second Class stationed at Key West, FL.

He was the owner and operator of the family business, Sound Plumbing and Heating in Mamaroneck. He was a 50 year member of Plumbers Local #21 in Westchester County, a 60 year member of the American Legion Post 3 in Mount Vernon, and a member of the American Legion Post 203 in Beacon.

On June 26, 1941 in Mount Vernon, William married his high school sweetheart, Gladys E. Hoyt. He and his wife enjoyed many wonderful hours of fishing and cruising in Long Island Sound on their boat with their children and grandchildren. William was a devoted husband who took tremendous pride in his family, his country and being a good neighbor. He loved bowling, stamp collecting, gardening and digging up old bottles with his daughter. Upon his retirement at 67, he decided to read the history of the world and of every past battle of mankind. Later in life, he shared in the annual four generation family vacation at their Cape Cod cottages.

William was the devoted father of Nancy E. Mahoney of LaGrange and William E. Greer Jr. and wife Isobel of LaGrange. He was the adored grandfather of Eileen and Mike Mauro of Harrison, James and Michele Mahoney of LaGrange, Michael and Paula Greer of Hopewell Junction and Lisa and Dave Cusano of Ridgefield, CT; and cherished great-grandfather of Michael Mauro Jr., Maggie Greer Mauro, Harrison and Hannah Greer, Seamus Mahoney and Sean Durando. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by an infant son and his sister, Kathleen McGrath.

William's family would like to extend great thanks to Elant at Fishkill – to the wonderful staff and personnel who were so devoted to his care and well being.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla with military honors.