William G. Scheefer Jr.
William G. “Bunny” Scheefer Jr., 98, of Saranac Lake, died Saturday, March 30, 2019, at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid.
Bill was born in Saranac Lake on Dec. 21, 1920, to William G. Scheefer Sr. and Alma Valida (Cumm) Scheefer. He graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1939 and St. Lawrence University in 1943. He attended Yale University, studying math. In March 1944, Bill entered the United States Army Air Corps as a communications officer and was honorably discharged in May 1946 as a first lieutenant. He was stationed in North Africa (Oujda, Oran), French Morocco and Italy. In 1945 he was assigned as detachment commander. In 1946 he applied to Columbia University and was accepted to study optometry. In 1946 Bill took over Scheefer’s Jewelry store from his father, due to illness, and ran the business until 2004, when he retired. He served on the General Hospital Board of Directors from 1953 until 1960 and again from 1982 until 1988. He was president from 1957 until 1959 and treasurer from 1986 until 1988. Bill was at one time the head of the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce and was one of those people responsible for encouraging the Shoe Factory to move to Saranac Lake. Bill enjoyed skiing, tennis and playing softball for E. John’s Lounge.
Bill married the former Brigitte Herbert on Aug. 7, 1962, in Saratoga Springs.
Bill is survived by his wife Brigitte Scheefer of Saranac Lake; three sons: Robert K. (Linda) Scheefer of Saranac Lake and Vero Beach, Florida, Thomas G. (Sandy) Scheefer of Paonia, Colorado, and David J. Scheefer of Gunnison, Colorado; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his father and mother; one son, William “Bill” G. Scheefer III; and one grandson, William G. Scheefer IV.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. A reception to celebrate Bill’s life will immediately follow the burial at Mount Pisgah Lodge in Saranac Lake.
Friends wishing to remember Bill may make memorial contributions to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad or a charity of their choice in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Family and friends may also sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.