William D. Thorpe, Sr.

Gilboa - William Douglas Thorpe (Bill) age 87, formerly of Burnt Hills NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at Ellis Hospital. He was the beloved husband of 64 years to Anna Nora Smith Thorpe. Bill was the father of Sharon Thorpe Kourtz, Nancy Thorpe Kelley, William D. Thorpe Jr. and wife, Beth Ann Thorpe. Left to cherish his memory are his grandsons Brother Collin William Thorpe Kourtz, Earl "Tyler" Thorpe Kelley, granddaughter Connar Nora Kelley and their dad, Joe B. Kelley. He will be greatly missed by his surviving sister Betty Sander, of St. Helena CA, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Born February 15, 1931, in Roxbury NY, Bill was the son of the late William Douglas Thorpe and Anna VanDyke Thorpe. He was predeceased by his in-laws, Earl and Nora Smith, son-in-law Paul Kourtz, and siblings Dorothea, Doris, June, and Keith. 

Bill was a 1949 graduate of Gilboa-Conesville Central School and later enlisted in the US Air Force where he trained as a Radio Operator in Biloxi, MS and served in Korea. Bill had a 30 year career with Weber Construction Company.  Bill was active in the labor union, was top in sales for Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce, and was honored with the Chamber's Bob Leonard Award.  After retirement, Bill and Ann moved to his family homestead where family reunions, fishing, restoring tractors, and walking his fields gave Bill great pleasure.  He was active with the American Legion Post #1764, Senior Citizens, The Manorkill Rural Cemetery Committee, and his church.
Nearly halfway between his two residences, Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC at 134 River St., Middleburgh, NY is honored to be caring for Bill and his family.  Nephew Rev. Wesley Smith will lead the service and will be assisted by Bill's pastors, Dottie Morris (Gilboa UMC) and Gail Falsetti (Burnt Hills UMC). Calling hours are 6PM to 8PM on Sunday, February 25 and 10AM  to 11AM on Monday, February 26, 2018 leading up to the service of rememberence at 11AM, at the funeral home. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family in Manorkill Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make memorial contributions to either of Bill's special churches: Gilboa United Methodist Church, Gilboa, NY 12076 or Burnt Hills United Methodist Church, Saratoga Road, Burnt Hills, NY 12027

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