William J. Krause

William J. Krause

William J. Krause

DELMAR — On Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, William J. Krause died peacefully after a long and hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Together with his beloved wife, Carol, he raised a blended family of three sons and a daughter whom they loved and in whom they took great pride.

He cared for his wife as she battled multiple sclerosis, until her death in 2013. “It was often said, ‘I want to be loved like he loved and cared for her’ to the best of his abilities even though he himself was fighting his own battle with PD,” his family wrote.

Mr. Krause was also known as “Billy, Grandpa Bill, and Cookie Monster,” his family said.

He retired after working 40 years in various roles, including shift leader, saster scheduler and coordinator of General Electric Plastics with four years to Sabic Innovative Plastics, both of Selkirk.

“Bill was known to be a tough leader but a respected one among his peers,” his family wrote. “In his later years, he fully enjoyed his luncheons with his fellow retirees.”

He was brought up on a farm in Gallupville, and loved his time with The Old Men of The Mountain, a group of Hilltown men who eat breakfast together on Tuesdays, with their conversations reported in an Enterprise column by John R. Williams.

“Bill took great pride and joy in being able to attend his grandchildren’s sports and activities,” he family wrote.

“He indeed loved the ponies and his numbers but respectfully laid all that to rest with much pride for the last eight years and we give thanks to the support and friendships attained from Gamblers Anonymous; you truly saved his life.”

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William J. Krause is survived by his siblings, Edith Krause Balough and Richard Krause and his wife, Jeanne.

He is also survived by his and Carol’s children, Kevin Krause and his wife, Stephanie, Todd Krause, Catherine Powers and her husband, Robert, Roger Thomas (Constance) Downing Krause and his wife, Constance, and his former daughter-in-law, Elisa Downing.

He is survived, too, by his beloved grandchildren, Victoria, Christopher, Daniel and Patrick Powers ~ Chelsea Krause; William, Karl, Dietrich & Kasandra Downing ~ Logan and Danika Krause, and great-grandchild Roman Febles.

His parents, William D. Krause and Elona Sibert Krause, died before him, as did his beloved wife, Matilda “Carol” Kiburz Krause, and his daughter-in-law, Natalie Krasuse.

His family writes, “Thank you to Bill’s close friends, ‘Big’ John Masker and Jerry Stipe, Bob McCabe, Bill Hauf, The GE Retiree Ladies and Gents.

“Also survived by longtime caregivers, Marie Parker aka Bill’s Right Arm (and his left). Katie ‘Bug’ and Miss Aubrie and Miss Karsyn (Joshua) Parrella. We kept our promise to your sweetie.

“To Mark Burek/Family of Hope Soars for your genuine kindness support. ‘Bill had Parkinsons but it did not have him.’

“Appreciation and love for the dedication of Marianne and staff of Columbia Care Home along with Julie Ball and the staff of Hospice for the highest level of care given. God Bless you and thank you.

“Bill, you will forever be remembered and missed by many, go ahead, rest easy now and ‘let it ride’ until we meet again.”

Friends may gather at Meyers Funeral Home on Saturday, March 6, from noon to 4 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Soars Fund for Parkinson’s Research, care of Albany Med Foundation, 43 New Scotland Ave., MC-119, Albany, NY 12208, or to Community Hospice, 315 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208, or to Gamblers Anonymous ISO, Post Office Box 17173, Los Angeles , CA 90017.

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