William Wynnyk

William J. Wynnyk, 91, of Galloway, OH, passed away on Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at Grant Medical Center. Bill lived his life on his own terms and faced death much in the same way; peacefully, with love in his heart. His last words were “I love you.” Born on July 10, 1930 in Johnson City, NY to Paul and Bertha (Cuzi) Wynnyk, Bill devoted his life to family, guiding others to become their best selves and his many friends. Graduating from Johnson City High School and Oswego State Teachers College, his lifelong teaching career was interrupted when he received a letter letting him know he was “chosen by his friends and neighbors to represent them” in the Korean War. Bill honorably served in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss, TX. from 1951 to 1953. Bill graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego with a Masters Degree in Education 1961. He taught industrial arts in Long Beach, NY before taking a position with the Binghamton City School District. First as a teacher and vice-principal; Bill was appointed Director of Attendance in 1972. He shared his talent, generosity and kindness in a career of public service that lasted over 40 years, retiring in August, 1992. Above all else, Bill was a devoted family man. He loved being a husband, brother, father and uncle. Survived by his wife, Mary Ellen (Murphy) of 53 years; he wrote to her during their courtship “Love is finding a note on your pillow from one who only thinks of you. -B” Their life together was filled with dedication, generosity, respect, laughter and love. These values were shared with his surviving son, Jeffrey. A proud father, Bill taught his son the values of integrity, honesty, faith, loyalty and community. Freely given (or learned); he also instilled in Jeffrey a sense of humor, impatience and obstinance. Bill was the ‘mayor’ of English Street in Binghamton, The Pines at Page Lake and Oakmont Village in Galloway; sharing his smile, laughter, stories and friendship with friends and neighbors. Bill loved woodworking and making furniture in his basement and puttering around the house. He especially loved time at the cottage; spending days fishing, swimming, sailing, taking everyone waterskiing in the boat, paddling Mary Ellen around the lake in their canoe and working to make the cottage a great summer place for his family and friends to enjoy drinks on the deck and burgers from the grill. Bill loved spending time giving back to his community. He was an Odd Fellow and Rotarian. Bill dedicated 30 years on the Board of Directors of the Broome County Teachers Federal Credit Union. In his retirement, Bill volunteered with Catholic Charities, the Anderson Center for Performing Arts at Binghamton University, St. Pauls Church, the Southern Tier AIDS Program and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. In his retirement Bill spent many hours mastering the craft of counted cross stitch. Many of his works won first place and best in show awards at the Hartford Fair. He would also seek out and stitch memories from the places he, Mary Ellen, and friends Shirley Frailey, Duane Champoux, Ireen and John Madden visited together. Favorite trips to Cape Cod, Bermuda, the California Coast, and many National Parks were captured in his cross stitch artwork hung proudly around their home. Bill was preceded in death by his father Paul, mother Bertha sister & brother-in-law Caroline and Larry Lewis, brother & sister-in-law Paul and Ruth and his first wife Elizabeth Skinner. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ellen, son Jeffrey and son-in-law Joseph Dixon; nieces Pamela and Dick Prentice, Paula and Rick Halliday, Maureen Moyers, Colleen and Dan Orosz, & Carla Lewis; nephews Daniel & Timothy Murphy and JR & Billy Lewis; numerous great nieces and nephews. Bill is also survived by Maddie and Eli who will miss their long walks together and being overfed. Memorial services will be held in Galloway, OH and Binghamton, NY at a later date before internment at Vestal Hills Memorial Park, Vestal, NY.