Donald Kimbel Bill

Male 1919 - 2011  (91 years)


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  • Name Donald Kimbel Bill 
    Birth 7 Sep 1919  Perkinsville, Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Military Service 1944 
    World War II (US)
    US Army, 44th Infantry Division 
    Death 14 Jan 2011  Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Wayland Village Cemetery, Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Donald K. Bill, 91, passed away peacefully, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, at his home in the Town of Wayland.

      Donald was born in Perkinsville on Sept. 7, 1919, a son of Edward and Julia Bill. Donald graduated from Wayland High School in 1937 and was a lifelong resident of the Town of Wayland.

      One of the highlights of Donald's life was his service during World War II. In 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and was sent to Europe as a replacement troop for the 44th Infantry Division. During his trip across the Atlantic, however, the peace treaty was signed and he was not needed to fight. Instead, he experienced the aftermath of the war in France, Germany, Austria and England. Upon his return to the States, Don was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash., where he was able to utilize his typing skills to complete discharge papers for servicemen returning from the war. While in the Pacific Northwest, he enjoyed hitch hiking and riding the bus down the coast of California and up into the Vancouver area.

      After discharge from the army, Donald returned to the Wayland area and resumed farming with his family. He met Phyllis Wixom from North Cohocton on a blind date and they were married April 23, 1949. Together they built their home on the Wayland-Dansville Road, with Donald and his father cutting much of the lumber for the house with crosscut saw on the farm in Perkinsville. Donald was proud of his woodworking skills and enjoyed taking classes to learn new carpentry techniques. In addition to dairy farming, Donald drove school buses first for Jack Malter, and then for the Wayland School. Throughout his life, he would continue to see the kids who rode his buses and they would remember him fondly.

      Donald was a member of the Wayland Lions Club, the Wayland United Methodist Church, the Wayland Historical Society, the Wayland American Legion and the Steuben County Farm Bureau. He took an active role in his children's lives and never missed attending school and community activities they were involved with. He loved traveling and camping and even though it was difficult to get away from the farm, he always found a few days at the end of the summer to camp with his family. He was always the first one up in the morning to get the fire going for pancakes and eggs. Donald loved animals and had a favorite riding horse in addition to his work horses for the farm as a young man. His dog, "Nabisco," could be found riding shotgun on trips around the farm in the truck and in later years, Don enjoyed his "grand-dogs."

      After retirement from the farm, Don kept active taking long walks uptown. At age 80, he decided to participate in the weight training room at the school and a weekly exercise class. Don was proud of his participation in the Silver Sneakers program and made many friends at his classes. He also enjoyed breakfast at Jim's Diner in Wayland and sometimes lunch and dinner there too. He was a faithful friend to his old farming buddies and could often be found visiting them at nursing homes in the area. He was an avid reader and enjoyed stopping at the library for books.

      Donald was predeceased by his wife, Phyllis, in 2001; his sister-in-law, Marjorie Bill; and his brother-in-law, Elmer Mills. He is survived by his children, Sally (Craig) Smith of Houston, Texas; and Nancy (Wayne) McIntyre of Perkinsville; his grandchildren, Heather (Shane) Jaime of Katy, Texas; Justin Smith of Houston, Texas; Lynne (Jim) Pier of Macedon; and Lee McIntyre of Perkinsville; one great-granddaughter, Lilly McIntyre; his brother, Malcolm Bill of Penfield; his sister, Wilhelmina Mills of Greece; sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Roy Gibson of Wayland and Barbara and Leo Wixom of West Unity, Ohio; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

      Donald's family would like to thank the wonderful crew of caregivers and the staff members and nurses at Southern Tier Hospice who enabled him to stay in his own home during the last few months. Also thanks to the Rev. Osceola Wharton, members of the church, neighbors and friends who visited, sent cards and prayers during his illness. You truly lifted his spirits as well as ours and your kindness will not be forgotten.

      Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at the Walter E. Baird & Sons Funeral Home, 300 West Naples St., Wayland. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the Wayland United Methodist Church, corner of N. Lackawanna and East Avenue. Donations in Donald's memory can be made to the Wayland Ambulance, the Wayland United Methodist Church or the Southern Tier Hospice. Those who wish to light a memory candle for Don may do so at bairdfuneralhomes.com. (GCE, January 20, 2011, pA8)

    Person ID I39022  OurNorthernRoots
    Last Modified 19 Dec 2023 

    Father Edward Bill,   b. 20 Jun 1889, Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 20 Apr 1977 (Age 87 years) 
    Mother Julia Kimbel,   b. 6 Mar 1893   d. 13 Apr 1989, Dansville, North Dansville, Livingston Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 96 years) 
    Marriage 13 Mar 1914 
    Family ID F13867  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Phyllis Audrey Wixom,   b. 22 Mar 1927, Bath, Steuben Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 27 Jan 2001, Dansville, North Dansville, Livingston Co., New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years) 
    Marriage 23 Apr 1949 
    Children 
     1. Living
     2. Living
    Family ID F13869  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 7 Sep 1919 - Perkinsville, Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 14 Jan 2011 - Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - - Wayland Village Cemetery, Wayland, Steuben Co., New York, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
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