William A. Morehouse

1929 - 2026

William August Morehouse, age 96, of Utica, passed away on February 4, 2026, at home.

He was born on June 16, 1929, in Penn Yan, New York, the son of Alton and Elsie Morehouse. He grew up on a dairy farm there, at the north end of Keuka Lake, one of the Finger Lakes. In 1951, he married Bertha Kellers and they resided in Geneva, New York, where Bill established an insurance agency and they started their family. Later, Bill moved the family to Oswego, New York, where he became District Manager for Nationwide Insurance.

Bill was transferred to Utica with Nationwide in 1963 and, later that year, he formed an insurance agency with Clarence Morcy, which became Morcy Morehouse Insurance. He liked people and enjoyed being in the sales side of the business. Like his wife, "Berty", he also enjoyed being involved in the community and was a member of the Masons, the Kiwanis Club of Utica, and both the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of the Mohawk Valley and the New York State Builders Association (NYSBA). Bill served as Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Mohawk Valley for more than 30 years, providing complimentary office space for 10 years. His generosity and ingenuity helped to initiate the NYSBA Research and Education Foundation. He established a scholarship program through a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, the Research and Education Foundation (REF). As a tribute to Bill's commitment to the industry, his colleagues named the REF scholarship program in his honor, to recognize his relentless dedication to the industry and members and to acknowledge his stewardship, generosity and commitment to future leaders. The William Morehouse Scholarship Program awards funds to qualified students pursuing college programs of one, two or four years in construction or related fields in New York State.

Bill also worked with other community members to establish the Children's Zoo at the Utica Zoo, in the late 1950s. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Utica. Bill's passion was classic cars and he collected, traded and sold vintage auto parts and accessories. He attended numerous classic car trade shows and loved comparing notes with fellow enthusiasts. He also appreciated a good mystery novel.

Bill leaves four children: Sally (Tom) Haigh, Molly (David) St. John, William (Debora) Morehouse and Matthew (Deborah) Morehouse. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: David, Ashley and Matthew St. John, William and Margaret Morehouse, and Austria and McWilliams Wells Morehouse; a sister-in-law, Jean Morehouse; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Berty in December; his parents; brothers, Alton (Ruth) Morehouse and Michael Morehouse; sister, Molly (George) Allen; brother, Dan (Elizabeth) Morehouse; sisters-in-law, Isabel Chiquoine and Iluminada Kellers; brothers-in-law, A. Duncan Chiquoine and Charles F. Kellers; and grandson, Jason St. John.

The family thanks the many caregivers, friends and others who helped Bill and Berty in their last years.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at 5 p.m. at McGrath, Myslinski, Kowalczyk & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Road, Utica, with Pastor George Cooper officiating. The family will greet friends and family at calling hours from 4 to 5 p.m., prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Bill's memory to the Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, New York or online at www.masonichomeny.org. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

For an online message of sympathy, please go to www.mmknfd.com.