LITTLE FALLS, NY-William G. "Bill" Gressler, of Burwell Street, passed into eternal rest at Little Falls Hospital on June 8, 2011. Bill had previously been a resident at Alpine Skilled Nursing Facility. Bill lost his wife Rosemary on April 27, 2010. Rosemary and Bill were married in 1943 and enjoyed over 67 years of marriage together. He and Rosemary had five children; oldest daughter Ellen Graudon and husband Richard of Liberty Township, Ohio, oldest son William J. and wife Kathleen of Little Falls, daughter Jeanne Konik and husband John of Rochester, N.Y., son Jeffrey and wife Patricia Frezza-Gressler of Little Falls, and daughter Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" of Silver Springs, Md. Bill is survived by his grandchildren Jill (Graudon) Lingo, Tracey (Gressler) Zilkowski and JoAnne Konik. Bill had three great-grandchildren, Cole Lingo and Jake and Sophie Zilkowski. Bill is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Bill was the youngest child of George and Charlotte Gressler. He was pre-deceased by sisters Elizabeth "Betty" and Mary Alice Jones and brothers Robert and Richard. He was born on October 13, 1924 in Little Falls and was virtually a lifelong resident of the city. He graduated from St. Mary's Academy with the class of 1942 and in 1943 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Bill served with the 28th Infantry Division and fought in a number of crucial European Theater battles against German forces, most notably in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-45. Bill marched with the 28th Division during the liberation of Paris in 1944. Bill maintained close contact with his army buddies and a real highpoint was his trip to Washington, D.C. several years ago with fellow Herkimer County WW II veterans to see the new WW II monument. Bill was a longtime member of American Legion Post #31 in Little Falls. For years Bill took great pride both in marching in parades with his fellow veteran's and being part of the honor guard at city Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. Bill had a long and distinguished professional career with Univac Corp., ending with his 1987 retirement. From 1976-1988 Bill and Rosemary relocated to Kingsport, Tennessee for career purposes. For many years they enjoyed winters together in Lake Worth, Florida and summers together in the Adirondacks on Piseco Lake. They loved to travel together and particularly enjoyed their 1990 cross-country driving tour. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved the woods and in his younger years he especially enjoyed skiing, hunting, and fishing. His later passions were golfing and volunteering at Little Falls Hospital where he put in over 2000 hours of community service work. Bill was also the past chairman of the Herkimer County Red Cross and a founding member of the Shumaker Mountain Ski Patrol. Bill was a devoted instructor and trainer for all phases of Red Cross lifesaving training. He was a member and past president of the senior golf league at Little Falls Public Golf Course. Bill was a longtime usher at Holy Family Parish in Little Falls. Mr. Gressler's entire family wishes to thank Dr. Douglas Haas for his many years of devoted medical care to both of our parents. The family also wishes to thank the professional nurses and staff on the third floor east wing of Little Falls Hospital for their skilled care during Bill's final days. We also wish to thank the nurses and staff at Alpine for their dedicated care. According to family wishes, donations can be made to the Red Cross of Herkimer County or to Holy Family Parish, Little Falls in Bill and Rosemary's memory. There are no public calling hours. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to the funeral service commencing at 11 am on Monday, June 13, 2011 from Holy Family Parish, corner of E. Main and John Streets, Little Falls where the Rev. Thomas Lawless, pastor will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where Mr. Gressler will be laid to rest with his beloved wife, Rosemary and Military Honors will be offered. Arrangements are under the caring guidance of Funeral Director Daniel J. Enea.