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BORN
1955
DIED
2025
William Danforth Obituary
William Henry Danforth
September 27, 1955 - May 26, 2025
William Henry Danforth, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, who left this world on May 26, 2025. William was a long-time visitor to the Hadley and Stony Creek communities and subsequently became a long-term resident of Lake Luzerne. He was a friend to all.
Will was the fourth of seven children of Colonel Robert and Mrs. Jean Dreher Danforth. He was born on September 27, 1955 in Athens, Ga., where his father was stationed with the ROTC staff at the University of Georgia.
Like most military dependents he traveled a great deal. When in the USA, summers were spent in the Adirondacks, at the base of Hadley Mountain. Those trips to the Adirondacks were a treat, spending time with his grandparents, Henry and Eulalee Dreher at North Strawberry Lane just off Tower Road, swimming at Luzerne Beach, wiffle ball games and croquet at the old farm. William, and all the children, especially enjoyed window shopping at Jack Kramer's Village Store, strawberry sundaes at Stone's Pharmacy, and stopping at Rollman's Grocery Store in Hadley for a treat before heading up to their grandparents' North Strawberry Lane house.
Will's life was a little complicated, military families are like tumbleweeds, moving from place to place. He started life in Athens, Ga., where his father was assigned to the ROTC staff at the University of Georgia. 1957 found William at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone, a striking change from Athens, Ga. As the youngest child (at the time) he spent time with Henrietta Kaiser, from Jamaica, who worked with the family. Jungle creatures were everywhere, sloths, monkeys, coatimundis, and many, many snakes, both constrictors and poisonous.
Next stop, Fort Stewart, Ga., where his father commanded a tank Battalion. No more mango trees everywhere, and no more loaded banana stalks hanging in the carport. His father was very busy, Cuban Missile Crisis with a visit by President Kennedy and working with the 1st Cav, the new air assault division, to prepare them for Vietnam. COL Danforth subsequently spent two years himself preparing for a Vietnamese tour. William and the family then spent the next year in Martinsburg, W. Va., and then the next three years at Ft Leavenworth, Kan. During his father's second Vietnam tour, the family moved to Lake Luzerne, N.Y. There, he and four other Danforth attended Lake Luzerne's school, Margaret, Patricia, William, John and Sarah. Will and his siblings made lifelong friends in Lake Luzerne.
In 1968, the family settled down in Coraopolis, Pa. Will finished school at Moon Township High School. After graduation, he had several jobs, Redken's in Coraopolis was one, another job he enjoyed was with a towing company.
Like most Danforth men he joined the military, the US Army. During basic training at Ft Polk, La., he was unable to finish due to a previous foot injury.
William returned to Lake Luzerne in 1996 living at Lynch Drive. He had several jobs in the local area and made good friends. Best of all, he met Susan Marie Selango. Will and Sue became long-term companions, for more than 16 years. They were well known in the community and enjoyed life together.
William is survived by six brothers and sisters, born in different cities around the world, wherever his father was assigned, Robert D. Jr, West Point, N.Y., Nancy M., Tokyo, Japan, Margaret E., Ft Knox, Ky., Patricia M., Tokyo, Japan, John M., Balboa, Panama CZ, and Sarah Jean, Ft Meade, Md. There are also numerous nieces and nephews living in Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Florida.
While William is no longer with us, warm memories of his smile, quick wit, dry sense of humor and love of Lake Luzerne will live on in the minds of his siblings. All he met will remember him too, much like memories of his beautiful mother, Jean Dreher Danforth. They both loved Lake Luzerne, Hadley and Stony Creek, and the people that live there.
Rest in peace, William. You will be missed more than words can express.
Footnote:
1. See Sarah Jean Danforth's Facebook page for many of William's photos.
2. Thanks to Dr. Siniapkin, Corinth, N.Y., for assisting us with medical advice and guiding us in dealing with hospital case managers.
Online condolences can be made to www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com
September 27, 1955 - May 26, 2025
William Henry Danforth, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, who left this world on May 26, 2025. William was a long-time visitor to the Hadley and Stony Creek communities and subsequently became a long-term resident of Lake Luzerne. He was a friend to all.
Will was the fourth of seven children of Colonel Robert and Mrs. Jean Dreher Danforth. He was born on September 27, 1955 in Athens, Ga., where his father was stationed with the ROTC staff at the University of Georgia.
Like most military dependents he traveled a great deal. When in the USA, summers were spent in the Adirondacks, at the base of Hadley Mountain. Those trips to the Adirondacks were a treat, spending time with his grandparents, Henry and Eulalee Dreher at North Strawberry Lane just off Tower Road, swimming at Luzerne Beach, wiffle ball games and croquet at the old farm. William, and all the children, especially enjoyed window shopping at Jack Kramer's Village Store, strawberry sundaes at Stone's Pharmacy, and stopping at Rollman's Grocery Store in Hadley for a treat before heading up to their grandparents' North Strawberry Lane house.
Will's life was a little complicated, military families are like tumbleweeds, moving from place to place. He started life in Athens, Ga., where his father was assigned to the ROTC staff at the University of Georgia. 1957 found William at Fort Kobbe in the Panama Canal Zone, a striking change from Athens, Ga. As the youngest child (at the time) he spent time with Henrietta Kaiser, from Jamaica, who worked with the family. Jungle creatures were everywhere, sloths, monkeys, coatimundis, and many, many snakes, both constrictors and poisonous.
Next stop, Fort Stewart, Ga., where his father commanded a tank Battalion. No more mango trees everywhere, and no more loaded banana stalks hanging in the carport. His father was very busy, Cuban Missile Crisis with a visit by President Kennedy and working with the 1st Cav, the new air assault division, to prepare them for Vietnam. COL Danforth subsequently spent two years himself preparing for a Vietnamese tour. William and the family then spent the next year in Martinsburg, W. Va., and then the next three years at Ft Leavenworth, Kan. During his father's second Vietnam tour, the family moved to Lake Luzerne, N.Y. There, he and four other Danforth attended Lake Luzerne's school, Margaret, Patricia, William, John and Sarah. Will and his siblings made lifelong friends in Lake Luzerne.
In 1968, the family settled down in Coraopolis, Pa. Will finished school at Moon Township High School. After graduation, he had several jobs, Redken's in Coraopolis was one, another job he enjoyed was with a towing company.
Like most Danforth men he joined the military, the US Army. During basic training at Ft Polk, La., he was unable to finish due to a previous foot injury.
William returned to Lake Luzerne in 1996 living at Lynch Drive. He had several jobs in the local area and made good friends. Best of all, he met Susan Marie Selango. Will and Sue became long-term companions, for more than 16 years. They were well known in the community and enjoyed life together.
William is survived by six brothers and sisters, born in different cities around the world, wherever his father was assigned, Robert D. Jr, West Point, N.Y., Nancy M., Tokyo, Japan, Margaret E., Ft Knox, Ky., Patricia M., Tokyo, Japan, John M., Balboa, Panama CZ, and Sarah Jean, Ft Meade, Md. There are also numerous nieces and nephews living in Texas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Florida.
While William is no longer with us, warm memories of his smile, quick wit, dry sense of humor and love of Lake Luzerne will live on in the minds of his siblings. All he met will remember him too, much like memories of his beautiful mother, Jean Dreher Danforth. They both loved Lake Luzerne, Hadley and Stony Creek, and the people that live there.
Rest in peace, William. You will be missed more than words can express.
Footnote:
1. See Sarah Jean Danforth's Facebook page for many of William's photos.
2. Thanks to Dr. Siniapkin, Corinth, N.Y., for assisting us with medical advice and guiding us in dealing with hospital case managers.
Online condolences can be made to www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by Post-Star on Jul. 3, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for William Danforth
2 Entries
Alan DeMont
July 4, 2025
Fond memories of Will from High School and Junior High.
Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Will
Ronald White
July 3, 2025
Our sincere condolences to the Danforth family
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