William F. Kimball

William F. Kimball

ARKPORT- William F. Kimball, 94, of Pine Knoll Park, passed away Wednesday morning (May 19, 2021) at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, after a brief illness.

Born in Meadville, PA on Aug. 6, 1926, he was a son of the late Earl F. and Honor (Schmidt) Kimball. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his former wife, Eileen (Coogan) Benesch on Sept. 22, 2020 and his second wife, Diane Gratton Kimball on July 19, 2015; two sons, William “Billy” Kimball and Mark Kimball; two grandsons, Matthew Countryman and Christopher Boisvert; and two brothers, Richard Kimball and Robert Kimball.

Bill grew up in Erie, PA and came to Hornell at the age of 13. He attended school in Erie and Hornell and proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy from 1944 to his honorable discharge in 1946 as a Seaman First Class and was a recipient of the American Theatre Medal, the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.

While an apprentice carpenter he was involved in the construction of the Almond Dam, the Mt. Morris Dam, the Messina Seaway and several buildings at Alfred University. In 1964 Bill became a resident of Naples FL where he retired at the age of 72 as a Master Carpenter. After his wife, Diane, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s he became her devoted caregiver for the next 10 years until she passed away in 2015. Shortly thereafter about four years ago he moved to Arkport, NY to be closer to his daughter.

Bill loved working with his hands and was extremely talented at wood carving, wood burning, making furniture and painting pictures; as an avid outdoorsman, he especially enjoyed hunting and archery. He was a member of the Hornell Amvets Post No. 245 in Hornell where he liked to play pool. Bill also had a daily routine of exercise and yoga.

His surviving loving family includes one daughter, Nancy Kimball Countryman of Hornell; three sons, Joseph Kimball of Bonita Springs, FL, Daniel Kimball of Bath, NY and Andrew (Susan) Kimball of Naples, FL; two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.

There will be an hour of calling from 10-11 a.m. Monday (JULY 19, 2021) at the Chapel of St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont, where a committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating; military honors and interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to either the Alzheimer’s Association, 435 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620 (www.alz.org) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).

The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Bill’s family with the arrangements.