Obituary of William H. Armstrong

Mr. William H. Armstrong, 84, retired City Firefighter, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 in his home on Van Dyke Avenue with his daughters at his side. Born in Amsterdam on April 29, 1926 he was the son of the late Charles and Theresa Costello Armstrong. Bill was a lifelong resident and a graduate of Wilbur Lynch High School in Amsterdam. During his high school years, he met the former Irma Van Wie, and the couple eventually married on July 9, 1955. They were together for nearly 54 years until her passing on March 6, 2009. Bill was also predeceased by his brothers, Kenneth, Bernard and "Jack" Armstrong; and two sisters, Ruth Schmidt and Bernice Smitka. Tex, as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, served as a City Firefighter for over 20 years until his retirement in 1973. He then owned and operated the former Eckelman's Fire Extinguisher Sales before renaming the company William H. Armstrong the FireFyter until his retirement in 1991. During that time, he continued his public service by selling and servicing fire extinguishers and also supplying equipment to several surrounding departments. During the 1970's he also volunteered for GAVAC as a driver. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, camping, gun collecting and flying small personal aircraft with his pilot's license. Above all he loved his family, and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. His loving family includes two daughters, Lynn M. Armstrong and Diane M. Armstrong both of Amsterdam; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, January 21, 2011 at 11 o'clock at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Interment will take place at a later date in Pine Grove Cemetery, Tribes Hill, NY. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 4 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Amsterdam or the American Cancer Society both in care of the funeral home office.