WESTERLO — “High-school sweethearts” who never parted were finally separated only by the end that comes to all.

William G. Haller died at his home, surrounded by loving family, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, a little more than six months after the death of his wife, Christine Beth (née Jennings) Haller on June 10, 2016. They met nearly  a lifetime ago when both were students at Greenville Central School.

Mr. Haller was born on Feb. 22, 1948, in Huntington, Long Island, to Gustav and Adelaide (née Rasmusen) Haller. He was 68 at the time of his death.

His daughter, Debra Filkins, says her most enduring image of her father  will be of him “standing, smiling, with a fishing pole in his hand, loving being in the outdoors.”

Mr. Haller’s birth family had several family connections in the northern Catskills, moving to South Westerlo when he was 10-years-old, his family says.

After high school, Mr. Haller joined the United States Navy and took up an occupation —that of fireman —that became a lifelong pursuit when he joined the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company in 1975 and became a life member.  His dedicated involvement inspired all his children to join the company as well.

Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Haller worked as a carpenter with his father-in-law, Walt Jennings.  Eventually, he went to work as a machinist for the CSX Railroad, from which he retired.

Another memory  Mrs. Filkins and other members of the family  will treasure is of Mr. Haller playing Whiffle ball with his grandchildren on the front lawn of the house he built himself as a young man.

His children, too, had enjoyed Mr. Haller’s love of play. “When we were children, all of us played Little League baseball,” Mrs. Filkins says. “And he always volunteered to coach any team we were on.”

“He had the biggest heart of anyone I know,” she said.  “He loved to joke, loved to laugh.”

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  William G. Haller  is survived by his children: William “Billy” Haller and his wife. Monique; Dawn Danner and her husband, Joseph; Brian Haller and his wife, Tammy; and Debra Filkins and her husband, Donald. He is also survived by  his grandchildren: Jeremy Danner, Allison Haller, Jamie Danner, Samantha Filkins, Ryan Haller, Nicole Filkins, Emma Haller, and Jessie Filkins; his sister, Nancy Snow, and her husband, Ronald; and many nieces and nephews.

A reception in Mr. Haller’s memory will take place on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at  Modern Woodman’s Hall, 980 County Route 401, Westerlo.  Private interment will take place in the spring.  Arrangements were by the A. J. Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.

Memorial donations may be made to the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company, Post Office Box 87, Westerlo, NY 12193.

-- Tim Tulloch