ILION - William "Bill" J. Dennis, age 72, of Ilion Heights, Vosburg St., Ilion, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 16, 2014, with his family by his side. He was born on November 1, 1941, in Herkimer, the son of William C. and Leona (Newman) Dennis, and attended Herkimer schools. On April 2, 1971, he was married to Susan "Sue" Van Cour in Jordanville. Bill was employed as a fork lift operator at Remington Arms Co., Ilion, for forty years, retiring in October 2004. In the past, he had served as a director of the Herkimer Co. Fair Assoc. and enjoyed working on the Demo Derbys for many years. Survivors include his wife, Sue; his five daughters, Wendy Aney and her husband, Alson, of Bridgewater, and Melissa, April, Vanessa and Sarah Dennis, of Ilion; his two sons, Lyle Dennis, of Herkimer, and Jeff Dennis and his wife, Carol, of Ilion; many grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Carl Dennis, Sr., Jake Dennis, and Marina, Brenda Looman and her husband, Bob, Diane Neale and her husband, William, Coreen Ketchum and her husband, Marlo, Christine Blum and her husband, Keith, Brian Dennis and his wife, Kelly, Ken Dennis and Carol Showerman; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and three special men that called him "Dad", Larry Strobeck and his wife, Shannon, Warren McCann and Robert White. Bill was predeceased by his brothers, Robert Dennis, Richard Dennis and William Dennis, Jr., and his grandson, Jeffrey Dennis, Jr. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 22, 2014, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd., Ilion (old Main St. between Ilion and Frankfort), with Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Parish Life Director of Blessed Sacrament Church, Mohawk, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer. Calling hours are Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Bill, or add to his online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Herkimer Co. Fair Assoc. Demo Derby Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 47, Frankfort, New York 13340. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The Dennis family has entrusted Bill's service arrangements and supervision to their family Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate.