William ‘Bill’ J. Cahill

PINE PLAINS — William “Bill” J. Cahill, 82, died peacefully on Aug. 4, 2015, in Jacksonville, Fla., surrounded by family members.

Bill was born in Sharon on Dec. 19, 1932, to the late Alice (Clum) and Fred Cahill. He attended schools in Sharon and Pine Plains and made his home locally until August 2014, when he moved to Jacksonville to live with his son.

Bill worked his earlier years in farming and later took a position with the town of Sharon, working with the maintenance department.  From there he took a job at the Wassaic State School in Amenia; he worked there until he retired. 

Upon retirement he took a part-time job driving school buses with First Student, where he fulfilled his love of making children smile.

Bill had a love for family, music and his country and served his country proudly in the United States Navy.  During his time in the military he married the love of his life, Eleanor (Carpenter) Cahill, on April 14, 1953. Eleanor predeceased him on March 26, 2014.

Bill leaves to cherish his memory his five children, Gerald Cahill of Raeford, N.C., Deborah Robertson and her husband, John, of Timberlake, N.C., Michael Cahill and his wife, Celita, of Jacksonville, Sharon Nihill and her husband, Ron, of Naugatuck, Conn., and Teresa Cummings and her husband, Rich, of Pine Plains. He also will be dearly missed by his 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  In addition he is survived by four brothers, Donald Cahill, Robert Cahill, Thomas Cahill and Peter Cahill; and six sisters, Mary Martin, Judy Hay, Margaret Wilson, Virginia Golden, Betty Storm and Shirley Booth.  

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by four brothers, John Cahill, Fred “Fritz” Cahill and Harold “Pat” Cahill,  and an infant brother. 

A memorial service and military service were held Aug. 8 at the Millerton Legion Post 178, to celebrate his life. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.