William Roy Knieriem's Obituary
Family man, patriot, Master Mason William Roy Knieriem, 83, passed away on April 9, 2022, surrounded by his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law. He was born on October 12, 1938 in Jersey City, NJ, and moved to Staten Island, NY as a child. He graduated from Port Richmond High School in 1956. As a teenager, Bill joined the Order of the DeMolay, beginning his lifelong membership in the Masonic Fraternity. It was at a DeMolay function that he met the love of his life, Carol (Mach). They wed in 1958 and spent the next 64 years together.
In addition to working after high school, Bill joined the National Guard Reserves, where he earned many accolades, including achieving Master Marksmen. Bill worked on SI for the MTA for 23 years, starting as a driver, promoted to dispatcher, and ending his career as a supervisor, retiring in 1989.
Bill was initiated into the Masons in 1971, and was raised to the 32rd degree, Scottish Rite, in 1975. He was Master of Great Kills Lodge in 1976. He and Carol were members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and served as Matron and Patron of Great Kills Chapter. Bill also served as Daddy for Rose E Scherer Triangle, and as Patron for Saratoga Chapter OES, with his daughter Nancy as Matron, in 2018.
After retiring, Bill and Carol moved to Eustis, FL. He continued his passion for professional driving, first with Lake County schools, then as a tour bus operator with Lake Limo, and activities driver for Waterman Village. Continuing his love for the Masonic Fraternity, Bill helped establish a DeMolay chapter in Eustis FL, for which he was awarded the Zerubbabel Key.
Bill enjoyed many hobbies, including being a self-taught handyman who could fix or build most anything around the house. He enjoyed aviation, target shooting, and was a strong supporter of the Republican party.
Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Carol; daughters Janis Cerciello (Tom), Nancy Wellstead (Greg), son William C; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will take place in September in Eustis. Private cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
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