Obituary of William N. Avery

William N. Avery, Jr., 92, of Gloversville passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 06, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born October 6, 1924 in Gloversville, he was the son of the late William N. Sr. and Marianne Wilbur Avery. William was a 1943 graduate of Gloversville High School where he was a 5 sport lettermen in football, basketball, baseball, track and field and soccer. Following graduation, William enlisted in the Army Air Force in September of 1943. He was assigned to the 5th Bomb Squadron, 9th Bomb Group as an airplane mechanical gunner on "Dottie's Dilemma" a Boeing B-29 Superfortresses. During his service William received many awards and decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. William was honorably discharged from the service in December of 1945 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. After defending his country William went on to attend Alabama State University where he played football and basketball, University of Oklahoma and Pratt College where he received his bachelor's degree in leather technology. William returned to the Gloversville area where he worked for Karg Brothers in Johnstown and for the family business Avery-Potter Leather in Gloversville. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish and always looked forward to spending time at the Avery Hotel in Arietta with his family and friends. William was a former member of Gloversville First Free Methodist Church. Survivors include his daughter Susan Avery-Kruger; brother Edward Avery (Peggy); sister-in-law Naomi Avery and grandchildren Mark Rudes, Michael Rudes (Diana Allman), Christopher Insognia (Lori), Katrina Insognia and Joel Rizzo. William is also survived by several great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his beloved wife of over 45 years Phyllis VanVleet Avery; son William N. Avery III; daughter Sally H. Avery and brothers Frank Avery and Curtis Avery. Calling hours to which relatives and friends are invited to attend will be held on Friday, December 16, 2016 from 12-2 P.M. at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville. A service to celebrate Williams's life will take place on Friday 2 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in William's memory to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. Arrangements have been entrusted to Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, Gloversville. Online condolences for the Avery family are available online at www.brbsfuneral.com