ILION – William “Bill” L. Bruso, Jr., age 83, of Kent Blvd., Ilion, formerly of 279 Second St., Ilion, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at his daughter Mary’s home with his family by his side. He was born on May 2, 1933, in Ilion, the son of William and Margaret (Roland) Bruso. Bill graduated from UFA and received 4 degrees in the lock and safe trade. Mr. Bruso proudly served in the U.S. Army Artillery during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1953. On January 14, 1955, he married Beatrice “Bea” Strait, and together they have 4 daughters. Later, on August 27, 1995, he married Carol Moran. She passed away on February 10, 2003. Most recently, on July 11, 2004, he remarried Beatrice “Bea” Bruso, and she passed away on August 4, 2013. Bill was well-known in the valley as W.B. Locksmith, a business that he started in 1966. Along with being the local locksmith, he was employed at Remington Arms Co., Ilion, for 26 years, retiring in 1985. He continued in his locksmith business until retiring in 2013. Bill loved to go fishing, hunting, camping and enjoyed watching football games and marching in parades. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. Mr. Bruso belonged to numerous organizations: Bill was past commander and life member of AMVETS post 777, a life member of VFW post 502, a life member of VFW National Home, past commander and life member of the Korean War Veterans, past commander and life member of the Disabled American Veterans, past president of and life member of Dads of Foreign Service Veterans, Associate life member of Marine Corps League, life member of the Polish Community Home, member of American Legion post 31, member of the American Legion 40 and 8, member of the Associated Locksmiths of America, and a member of the First Baptist Church in Ilion. Surviving family members include his daughters, Mary Rende and her companion, Tim Pope, with whom Bill resided, Nancy Anton and husband, Bill, Beverly Wood and husband, Walter, and Kim Bruso and her wife, Brenda Gleason; his grandchildren, James Rende, Jr., and wife, Andrea, Anthony Rende and companion, Sheila Burth, Jessica Govero and husband, Jeff, Jerrica Norris, Dana Norris, and Erica Johnson and husband, Tim; His great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Renae, Faith, Jaide and Hope Rende, Jarrod Price, Madison Lamb, Ethen Congdon, Jenna and Lucas Johnson, and Cameron, Hunter and Arial Norris; his great-great-granddaughter, Madelyn Rende; sisters-in- law, Mary Bruso, of Alaska, and Rebecca Allen, of Virginia; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind his special K-9 companion, Al; and his close friends at camp, Donna, Toad, and Bill. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Margaret Bruso; his two wives, Beatrice Bruso and Carol Bruso; his sisters, Marion Schwerdt, Violet Mainer, Dorothy McKinney and Peg Miller; his brother, Ed Bruso; and his great-granddaughter, Clover Ann Grace Norris. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion. The Ilion VFW service will be held at 5:45 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2016, at the funeral home. Funeral services and full Military Honors for Bill will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home at 102 West St., Ilion, immediately following calling hours, with Pastor John Partise, of the First Baptist Church of Ilion, officiating. Spring interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Herkimer. The Bruso family would like to thank the Rome V.A. and Syracuse V.A. Hospitals and HOSPICE. 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 Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413, or the Ilion/Frankfort VFW Post #502, 4274 Acme Rd., Frankfort, NY 13340. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. The Bruso family has entrusted Bill’s service arrangements and supervision to their long time friend and Family Funeral Director, Don Applegate.