William Pollay

On August 26, 2022 William Pollay, better known simply as Bill or Poppy took his final train ride home to the Lord. Bill was born June 24, 1932 to Charles and Edith Pollay in Albany, New York. One of 12 children he bore no middle name. His older sister loved to joke that by the time their parents got to him, they simply ran out of names. Bill had a love of trains, family, and sports. Trains were particularly special as his father was an engineer for the New York Central Railroad. Bill grew up in Pleasantdale along the banks of the Hudson River. He met the love of his life, Winifred , and married her at the age of 19. Bill was a veteran who served his country proudly in the Korean War and spent his entire adult life as a civilian government employee. Bill spent over 40 years working for Uncle Sam as a master machinist, first with the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, NY and eventually at NAWS Pt Mugu in Camarillo, CA.

When not working as a machinist, Bill would spend his time being a father, grandfather, woodworker, hunter, fisherman, and watching sports. He also had the unique ability to consistently stay up right on pair of water skis. As a sports fan, there was always a sporting event on the television in his house no matter the time of year. Being a New Yorker at heart, he loved all New York Teams, but made room in his heart for his beloved Los Angeles Kings. Bill and Winfred have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. While he was talented in many ways, perhaps what he excelled at most was being a grandfather. His love of his grandchildren never waned, and in retirement, he lived for them. He would build them furniture, go to every event he could no matter how far. He would spend countless hours with them while they played, no one was prouder of them than he.

Bill is survived by his wife Winifred of 70 years, children, William, Scott, and Jill. Grandchildren, Bill, Adam, Chris, Jason, Jared, and Krista. Great grandchildren Denver, Ryan, Henry, Brooklyn and Chloe.