F. William Bayard

SOUTH GLENS FALLS -- F. William Bayard, 79, of John Street, passed away on Friday, March 4, 2005, at Fort Hudson Health Care Facility, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on Nov. 30, 1925, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Frank W. and Marion (Chadwick) Bayard.

Mr. Bayard graduated from Hudson Falls High School in 1947.

After leaving school at 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years in the Pacific during World War II. He was on a sub-chaser and for a short while, in a submarine. While in the military, he was awarded the American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal with one Star, World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. When he returned home, he started school again, as he had promised his parents, and graduated in 1947.

Bill went to Albright Art School in Buffalo on the GI Bill. He attended for two years, at which time he needed to support his new family and so moved back to Hudson Falls. After a period of partnerships with his father, Frank Bayard, who had been a mason for many years, Bill joined the General Electric Company, where he went to school for design and drafting.

Later, he was employed by H.H. Hilton, Inc., where he was in charge of the design and drafting of capacitor machines. During his time with Hilton, Inc., he held several patents for developing new machines.

When Hilton, Inc. moved south, he eventually started his own business, Bill's Radiator Shop in South Glens Falls.

On Feb. 17, 1984, Bill married Mary (Cooper) Nelson at the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church.

Bill was a member of the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church and was active in Hudson Falls and Gansevoort Boy Scouts. He was very proud of his work with youth. He was also a member of the South Glens Falls American Legion Post No. 255.

Music was a big part of his life. At one time, he sang for Ray LaFarr at St. Mary's Church in Hudson Falls and then sang in the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church Choir, as well as the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church Choir. Bill was an original member of the Mastersingers Community Chorus, which was later known as The Adirondack Voices.

Bill loved spending winters in Florida, building things, working with wood and designing things for his friends.

He was an avid stamp and coin collector, hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman and loved his Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, on which he and his wife took extensive trips.

He enjoyed camping, especially on the coast of Maine, and traveling to Colonial Williamsburg.

Bill always was very willing to step in and help anyone with a project. He was a very giving person.

In addition to his wife of 21 years, Mary Cooper Nelson of South Glens Falls, survivors include his children, William Bayard and his wife, Joyce, of Queensbury, Susan Whiting and her husband, Robert, of Argyle, Patricia Bayard and her companion, Vincent Jockimo, of Glens Falls, Margaret Harrington and her husband, Doug, of Climax, N.Y., Deborah Nelson of South Glens Falls and her companion, Brian Baldwin, Michael Nelson and his fiancee, Sharon Davidson of Wilton; his grandchildren, William John Bayard and his companion, Nikki Lemery, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., Chad Bayard of Queensbury, Joshua Whiting and his wife, Jennifer, of Hudson Falls, Shane Whiting of Argyle, Matthew Nelson, Jetia Ure, Kalitia Ure and MaKayla Ure; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Janice Whiting of Hudson Falls; two sisters, Carol Bayard and her husband, Tom Booth, of Maplewood, N.J., and June Cohen of St. Augustine, Fla..; his first wife, Marion Payne of Argyle; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call on Tuesday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, at the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church, 15 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls, with the Rev. Kelly Warner, pastor, and Rev. Dr. E. Clayton Burgess, co-officiating.

Burial will take place at a time to be announced at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, in the town of Stillwater.

In lieu of flowers, the

family suggests memorial

donations be sent to the South Glens Falls United Methodist Church, 15 Maplewood Parkway, South Glens Falls, NY 12803,

the Fort Hudson Health Care Facility, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828 or the Moreau Emergency Squad,

1583 Route 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828.

Bill's family would like to thank the staff of G Wing at Fort Hudson Health Care Facility for their loving care and devotion.