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From Hiram Scott College: William Taylor Kesner, 63 of Oakdale, New York, died May 11, 2011
A note from Bill's daughter, Jessica Cox:
My dad passed away four years ago from colon cancer at the age of 63. He was only diagnosed at 60 and fought hard to stay alive for as long as he could.
I am the oldest of three children. I'm 36 and have three little ones of my own. My twin sons were the only grandchildren my father ever met. I also have a brother, Michael who looks exactly like my dad with dark hair. :) He's 33 and has two little ones as well. One of them, born on my dad's birthday!! And finally, we have a younger sister who is in her late twenties. She lives in Brooklyn, the rest of us remain here on Long Island.
After my dad graduated from Huron University in Nebraska, he moved to Long Island. That is where we all still live. My dad fought a courageous battle in Vietnam and proudly served in the Air National Guard until just a couple of years before he passed. He was in Iraq and Afghanistan as well. He earned the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and worked as an Intel officer, briefing and disseminating information to pilots.
He worked in NYC as the Director of Operations at Seven World Trade until about April 2011. He finished his career at Advantage Security which he loved going to each and everyday. He worked until he literally couldn't work anymore.
My dad still is and always was the kindest man I have ever met. He never said a bad thing about anyone and always instilled in us the importance of staying positive and being kind. He and my husband were very close. My husband considered him his best friend. He took such great care of us growing up and always took care of me when I was getting into the same antics he did in college. :) My dad loved the fact he took care of us the way he did and relished in helping us any chance he could get!!
I would be happy to share anything else you wish to know. My dad always loved telling us stories about high school and college. I would be happy to share some wonderful memories as well. I wish he was here to attend the reunion. He had truly become a wonderful man. :)
Please let me know if there is anything else you wish to know. Thank you so much for reaching out. I love sharing memories of my dad.
Warmly,
Jessica Cox
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Steve Nemeth
Hi Jessica,
I was very saddened to hear about your dad's passing. But, It is good to know what a loving father he was and what a successful life he led. I, too, remember him as being kind, positive and cheerful. Thank you for your beautiful note.
Gail Wright
Hi Jessica, you describe your dad so beautifully. It's so nice to see what a wonderful man he became and his loving devotion to his family. Those memories are precious!
Mary Beth Koslap (-Petraco)
Dear Jessica. I too was saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. I used to sit near him in several classes because my name begins with K too. He was always such a kind hearted person and never had a bad word for anyone. I was always a nerd and he was always so kind to me. I live on Long Island too. Thank you for sharing the wonderful memories you have of your Dad. Kindest regards. Mary Beth
Robert Batcheller (Bliss)
Bill and I became friends later in high school at HHS. He was a true Merry Prankster, just like a few of us friends. Many a good time was had by us all.
We played together in The Barretts of Wimpole Street. Bill, Fred Fittes, Bill Marroni and myself only volunteered for the play as a goof. We had many a helarious moment going through the rehersals, and all of a sudden it was show time and we realized we had to put on our game faces. I'm not sure how we got through it. But we did, and the after production party was well worth the agony of learing the lines.
As a Vietnam Veteran, I'd like his family to know what a true patriot Bill was. But you must know that. I only spoke with him once after high school while he was still in service, and I realized how much he loved his country, just like his father before him. I only wish I'd gotten to know him better. His passing caught me by surprise.
It's been a long time since we were in high school, but I still remember my friend Bill as good person, serious about the sports he was part of, and someone to be counted on for anything.
God Bless you, Bill, and thanks for your friendship...
(Susan) Leah Linzer (Shaver)
Thank you so much for sharing Jessica's memories of Bill aka Lumpy. I hope that wasn't a derogatory nickname. I don't recall why it came about.
I remember being in nursery school with him. I was fascinated by him as he was very active, mischevious and fun loving. Throughout the years I knew him at school he often had a twinkle in his eye, loved to laugh and was good natured. His sensitivity was reflected in a blush he could not hide which was something I thought we had in common.