East Palmyra/Clifton Springs:  At age 98, William “Bill” VanOoyen peacefully went to be with his Lord on March 7, 2024.  He was born on June 30, 1925 in Clifton, New Jersey to the late Peter and Tuentje (Muilwyk) VanOoyen.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Ann Ruth (Havert) VanOoyen, son Daniel VanOoyen, and brother and sister in-law Hank and Bernice VanOoyen.  Survived by daughter, Karen (Arthur “AC”) Ophoff of Michigan; son, Eric (Nancy) VanOoyen of East Palmyra; eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Bill has been a member of the East Palmyra Christian Reformed Church since 1932.  After graduating from Newark High School in 1942, he served as a Tech. Sergeant in the US Army Corps of Engineers, WWII, in the European Theatre.  He retired from NYNEX, the former Bell Telephone System, in 1984. He would often mention, with a smile, that he had been retired longer than he had worked.  Bill and Ann Ruth enjoyed traveling the country and sightseeing. Together they visited all the lower 48 states of America. Bill enjoyed helping his children and grandchildren and he was often working on building or making repairs.  He was a master wood worker and for many years he enjoyed making furniture that was donated to the annual East Palmyra Christian School Auction.

Family & friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16^th, 2024 at the East Palmyra Christian Reformed Church, 2057 East Palmyra Port Gibson Road, Palmyra, NY where his Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the East Palmyra Cemetery, with military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the East Palmyra Christian Reformed Church or the East Palmyra Christian School, 2023 East Palmyra Port Gibson Road, Palmyra, NY 14522.  To send a condolence or share a memory please visit:  www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com