Obituary of William Ahnert

William ?Bill? Ahnert, 80, of Harrison Avenue, Amsterdam, passed away Tuesday evening January 23, 2007 at Ellis Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Amsterdam on March 18, 1926 a son of Louis William and Harriet J. Filkins Ahnert. Bill was a lifelong area resident and attended local schools. Bill was a U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class serving during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Currituck. He was sent to the Pacific Marshall Islands then to Palawan Port of Princessa. Bill was in the Big Typhoon that started in Okinawa, Japan and ended up in Formosa, China. He then transferred from Seaman First Class to Fireman First Class and was promoted to Water Tender Third Class, Oil King on the U.S.S. Currituck. He ended his service in California on May 16, 1946. After the war Bill was employed as a carpenter for Glen Gay contractors in the Amsterdam area and also worked as a Farmer and in livestock auction barns. He was also employed at the former Pin Haven Lanes and Super 30 Lanes in Amsterdam. His main occupation was as a Truck Driver for Tanny?s and Yellow Freight in Fultonville, NY. He retired in 1991. Mr. Ahnert was an avid bowler in many leagues in the area. He bowled at the former Super 30 Lanes and Imperial Lanes in Amsterdam. He was the secretary in many leagues for over 25 years. He currently was a bowler in the Imperial Seniors Social League. Bill was an accomplished harmonica player and played in several bands in the area including Dick Bornt?s and Ernie Kane?s. Bill also in his spare time enjoyed calling square dances. Bill was a giver. He took great care of his family and would give a stranger the clothes off his back. He married Adela ?Ann? Ilnicki Ahnert on September 4, 1946. She passed away on June 14, 2006. They enjoyed sixty wonderful years of marriage. Survivors include four daughters, Margaret Ann Smith and her husband Alan of Gloversville, NY, Eileen Carol Reynolds and her husband Joe III of Amsterdam, Patricia Ann Lavicka and her husband Gary of Johnstown, NY, Bonnie Lynn Frascatore and her husband Dave Jr. of Perth; one brother, Walter J. Ahnert of Albany; two sisters, Evelyn Marie Brown of Galway and Harriet May Sikorski of Florida and grandchildren, Sandra, Richard, Cheri and Charles Allen, Erica Cummings, Jessica Smith, Malinda Ann ?Mindy? Reynolds, Lindsay Nicole Lavicka, Shawn P. Collins, Jayson Frascatore and Juliana Frascatore. Nine great-grandchildren also survive. Bill was pre-deceased by brothers and sisters, Carl W. Ahnert, Louis E. Ahnert, Robert John Ahnert, Richard Ahnert, Dorothy M. Sitterly, and Elsa L. Ahnert, one grandchild, Amy Nicole Collins and one great-grandchild, Brandon Allen. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 11:00AM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday prior to the service beginning at 9:00AM at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Gerald Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a special scholarship fund to be set up for the Amsterdam High School Bowling Team, c/o the BRB funeral home.