Obituary of Willard B. Kesel, Jr.

Cohocton – Willard B. Kesel, Jr., “Bill”, passed away early Monday morning January 30, 2017 at MM Ewing Continuing Care Center in Canandaigua. Bill was born August 3, 1934 in Mendon, NY the son of Willard Sr. and Ethel (Rieke) Kesel. He grew up in Rochester and graduated from Madison High School in 1952. Bill worked in the tool and die industry. He then earned his bachelor degree in Industrial Arts from SUNY Oswego, graduating in 1960. He taught in the Greece and Naples School Districts. Bill and Mildred “Millie” Kesel were married November 22, 1958, in Rochester at the Trinity United Church of Christ. Together they have celebrated over 58 years of marriage. In 1973, Bill and his family moved to Cohocton where he built his own house on property he had owned for some time. He has remained a resident of Cohocton ever since. Bill’s hobbies were many. As a young man he was an assistant scout master and a member of The Order of the Arrow. He loved outdoor activities with his family and with his students, especially 4-H events and horse shows. Bill also enjoyed tapping trees to make maple syrup, bee keeping, hatching and raising ducks to release into the wild, gardening, fishing and hunting. He was very persistent and always enjoyed learning new things. Bill was also an avid volunteer as he was a member of the Cohocton Lions Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Cohocton Conservation Club and the Avoca Masonic Lodge. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Willard Sr. and Ethel Kesel. He is survived by his wife, Mildred “Millie” Kesel of Cohocton; his children, Tracy (Doug) Humphrey of Fairport, Todd (Suzanne) Kesel of Cohocton and Scott (Wendy) Kesel of Cohocton; his grandchildren, Ezekiel “Zeke”, Chloe, Shawn (Samantha), Kevan, Ryan, Dustin and Andrew. Bill’s family and friends may call Friday 3-6 p.m. at the St. George-Stanton Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A memorial service will be celebrated for Bill on Saturday at 1pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Cohocton. Interment will take place at the convenience of Bill’s family at Pine Hill Cemetery in Rush. Memorial contributions in memory of Willard B. Kesel, Jr. may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Cohocton, 54 Maple Ave., Cohocton, NY 14826 or to the Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572.