Emma Bills

1928 - 2016

Emma Mary Bills COHOES - Emma Mary Bills, of Waterside Way and formerly of Waterford, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord while surrounded by her loving family on August 23, 2016 at the age of 87. Emma was at peace knowing that she was going to be reunited with her beloved husband of 62 years, Richard A. Bills. Born on November 1, 1928 in Troy, Emma was the daughter of the late Samuel and Florence Castracani. Emma spent her youth in Waterford with her late sister Alice Mei and was a graduate of Waterford-Halfmoon High School. It was as a high school freshman that Emma met and fell in love with her soulmate, Dick. Throughout Dick’s service in the United States Navy their love grew and they were married on December 7, 1947. As anyone who knew them could attest, Dick and Emma’s love story was a special one. They were truly each other’s anchor in life; their love was grounded in their faith in the Lord and they shared a deep, respectful adoration for one and other. The beautiful bond that they shared was always a remarkable example of what it truly means to be husband and wife. God blessed their union with five children; Richard Bills (Georgina), Daniel Bills (Laurie), Michael Bills, Marcia Hancox (Marc) and Janice Dort. Both before and after raising her family, Emma worked as a secretary at Waterford-Halfmoon High. She greatly enjoyed working at the school and always shared fond memories of her time with faculty and students alike. Emma was cherished as “Nanny” by her 15 grandchildren, Richard Bills (Amie), Kristin Blake (Timothy), Rebecca Kline (Nolan), Joshua Bills, Jacob Bills (MaryLou), Danielle Allen (Nathan), Michael Bills, Nicole Maniery (Joseph), Christopher Bills, Julie Desso (Jonathan), Robert Hancox (Alexandria), Claire TenEyck (Zachary), Grace Hancox, Alex Hancox, and Mackenzie Dort. Emma was also incredibly proud of her 16 great-grandchildren. Emma’s greatest pleasure in life was spending time with Dick and their family at their home in East Orleans on Cape Cod. Their cottage, “Blue Heaven”, was a place that the whole family looked forward to convening at every summer. Emma and her family made and shared memories on the Cape that will keep her alive in their hearts forever. Emma also loved to cook, play cards with friends, and listen to Dick sing in the choir at St. Mary’s Church in Waterford where they were communicants for over 50 years. While she will be greatly missed, her kindhearted and vivacious spirit will continue on in the beautiful family that she and Dick created. Funeral services will be Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rte. 32), Waterford and 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford. Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home Friday 4-7 p.m. Emma’s family are without words to express the sincere gratitude that they feel towards the men and women from Community Hospice who helped to make Emma’s last months on Earth peaceful and comfortable. In lieu of flowers the family would greatly appreciate donations be made to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, New York 12205. To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory, visit: Brendesefuneralhome.com