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William Heiderich Obituary

William J. Heiderich
Utica
Mr. William J. Heiderich, of Utica, passed away peacefully, at the age of 89, on Saturday, August 6, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in Utica on July 23, 1922, the son of William C. and Helen B. (Clare) Heiderich. He was raised and educated locally and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. Bill was an Army veteran of WW II and later a member of the Secret Service. On June 10, 1950, Bill was joined in marriage with the former Norma Jane Taylor, and in June of this year, the coupled celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Bill Heiderich's career in radio began in 1947 when he joined the sales department at WIBX as an account executive. He was named local sales manager in 1954, general sales manager in 1965, vice president in charge of sales in 1982, and vice president and general manager in 1988, and remained with Town Square Media as a public relations director until his passing. Throughout his career, Bill's enthusiasm for community service has matched his love of radio and dedication to his profession. He was a past president of the Utica Jaycees, where he chaired numerous membership drives, and a past commander of the former Corrigan Lange Post 1653 of the American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the Utica Optimist Club, where he co-chaired the Soap Box Derby program and also chaired the Optimist Invitational College Basketball Tournament. Bill has worked on many United Way Campaigns. He was a member of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church in Utica and an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the board of directors for the Salvation Army, a member of American Legion New Hartford Post 1376 and a member of SCORE. Bill had served as president of the Faxton Hospital Foundation Board, a past member of the Faxton-St. Luke's Health Care Center Foundation Board, and also a former member of the Mohawk Valley Advertising Club, where he was chosen ad person of the year in 1988. As an avid golfer, he was a member of the Skenandoa Golf and Country Club, where he once had a hole-in-one. In his early years, Bill was a board member of the Neighborhood Center, the Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Mr. Heiderich is survived by his beloved wife, Norma, and their three children: a son, Kurt Heiderich and his wife, Deborah, of Deerfield, a son, Scott Heiderich, of Utica, and a daughter, Kim Zeina and her husband, Eddie, of Oriskany; and seven grandchildren, Amy Heiderich and her fiance, Anthony Barkett, of Clinton, Christopher Heiderich, of Ilion, Erin Dixon and her fiance, William Shanley, Jr., of Westmoreland, Renee Boyer and her husband, Justin, of Huntersville, NC, Jaclyn Hanifin and her husband, Craig, of Baldwinsville, Kevin Zeina, of Syracuse, and LeAnna Christiansen, of Brooklyn, NY. Bill is also survived by his seven great-grandchildren and his sister, Barbara Grimaldi and her husband, Paul, of Utica. Mr. Heiderich's funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 8:15 a.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, and 9:00 at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church in Utica, where his mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum in Utica. Calling hours for family and friends are Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Salvation Army or Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare in Bill's memory. online guestbook and messages of sympathy at www.heintzfuneralservice.net

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Observer-Dispatch on Aug. 8, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Heiderich

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David Andrews

August 2, 2023

Miss you Bill!!

Helen Taylor

August 12, 2011

Bill was my brother-in-law we had so many good times together I will miss all our conversations, he was my best friend rest in peace my freind

Randy Jay

August 11, 2011

My memories of Bill always begin with his broad and genuine smile. To engage him in the hallway was to learn something. The information gleaned almost always revolved around the community he served so lovingly. You can peruse the biography posted with his obituary and get a small sense of the kind of man he was, but you really had to have interacted with him to feel his sincerity and know how kind a man he was. In my years on-air, most mentors struck me as consumed with super-serving the audience to one end…in hopes of superlative sales figures! With Bill; however, you could tell that there was an earnest love of service…TO…the community. We did some wonderful work together on behalf of his beloved Salvation Army. I also remember working the annual Heart Radio-Thons at Notre Dame High School, and from our perch behind the broadcast table you’d inevitably look out amidst the masses and see Bill…working the crowd, setting up guests, and most importantly, keeping a pulse on the community he so adored. As I move through my life experiences, the one lesson I will carry forward courtesy of my tutor and friend Bill Heiderich is this: giving knows no retirement. To his family…thank you for sharing such a beautiful soul with the rest of the world. To my friend Bill, “I will see you again! But not yet… not yet!”

Dennis Ryan

August 11, 2011

Bill was General Sales Manager of WIBX & WIBQ-FM when I was hired in 1980 as Sales Manger of WIBQ-FM. He was one of my greatest Mentors and one of the finest people I've ever had the privilege to work with. God Bless Him.

David Andrews

August 9, 2011

Bill was my boss at WIBX many years ago. He was the kindest, gentlest man I have ever known and I will miss him dearly.
Always a smile and a joke or two. Condolences to his family.
David Andrews, Vermont

Chris Allinger

August 9, 2011

I'm very sorry to hear this news. I remember so well those summer vacations our families took together to Cape Cod all those years ago. It was always a pleasure to see Uncle Bill on those rare visits to Utica. Truly a happy man who always had a smile. I'm proud that he was my godfather. My thoughts are with you.

Michael Allinger

August 9, 2011

I am deeply saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I have fond memories of the times our families spent together in Cape Cod so many years ago. Bill was always so warm and friendly. This world won't be the same without him. Peace and comfort to Norma, Kurt, Scott and Kim and their families.

Jay Bloom

August 8, 2011

Bill was a gentleman. Always a pleasure to be in his company. A class act whose friendship we all cherished.

Anthony Barkett

August 8, 2011

Mr. H was a cool guy, he made everyone around him feel good, even when he wasn't feeling so well. He took good care of his wife and family. I will miss seeing him. He is in Heaven right now putting for eagle on a long par 5. I will miss you Bill. Anthony.

Lisa Corrigan

August 8, 2011

Bill was certainly a mentor to my career in radio. His knowledge, charm and humor will be greatly missed. To know Bill; is to love this wonderful man.

August 8, 2011

It is of deep sadness that I learned of Bil's passing. My heart goes out to Norma and family. Bill was my WW11 buddy. We served in the same outfit and when we had a pass we traveled together from Camp Upton on Long Island to Utica. God be with you, Bill....Herb Dresher [email protected]

Helen Taylor

August 8, 2011

Bill was a great brother-in-law I will miss him dearly my love & condolences to his family

Randy Gorbman

August 8, 2011

I will always remember Bill as a true "gentleman" one of a very few that I have known in the radio business. He was a great sales guy, a great boss and most importantly, just a great guy. Condolences to his family and friends.

Rodger Potocki

August 8, 2011

Bill was a terrific guy who contributed much to our community. It was a pleasure to know him.

Pete & Karen Hensel

August 8, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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