William Kenneth Byrnes

Bill was born in Yonkers, New York on March 30, 1945 to Winnie and

Arthur. Bill was predeceased by his parents, his adoptive parents (Kay

and Bill), and his sister, Barbara. He was a graduate of Groton High

School in 1966, and in February of 1967enlisted in the United States Navy.

He was sent to Meridian, Mississippi and became a Structural Aircraft

Specialist. He also received the National Defense Service Medal.

After his military discharge in February 1970, he began his civilian

career. He attended the Albany Training Academy in 1977 to become a

New York State Correctional Officer. Upon graduating he was assigned to

Downstate Correctional Facility and Harriman Training Academy. While at

Harriman he became an instructor of Firearms/Chemical Agents and

Weapons. His greatest joy was to work with the cadets who were

preparing to become Correctional Officers and ensure their proficiency of

the essential tools for the functioning of their job. Bill transferred to

Greenhaven in 1990 and was also a member of the Task Force known as.

“The Orange Crush.”In 1990 he transferred to Ulster Correctional Facility,

worked as an Officer in the facility and later became a Transportation

Officer for that facility. He retired from this carer on

December 24, 2003.

Bill worked several years after retirement, initially as a Court Officer for

the Town of Montgomery, Police Department. He additionally worked for

the Washingtonville Transportation Department in 2004 for 15 years and

then he transferred to First Student, and later to Orange County Transit.

Bill was a very committed individual who had a tenacity for the need to

constantly be busy and had a continued pride in being a Patriot. He truly

loved this great land of the United States of America; and even more than

that was his love and dedication to his family, which had no limits.

Although he was a little rough around the edges at times and could be a

little intimidating to those who really didn’t know him, he was actually a big

honey bear, and that was what made him a “treasure.”

Bill is survived by his loving and caring wife, Marge, of 54 years, his

daughter Colleen (D’Alessio) and son-in-law James, son Kenneth and

daughter-in-law Cheryl, son Brian, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Melissa,

grandchildren Matthew, James, Meghan, Joseph, Brian, Alexa, and

Alianna, and many loving family members.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to: The

Center for Discovery, PO Box 840, Ben Mosche Road, Harris, NY 12742,

845-794-1400 https://thecenterfordiscovery.org/

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date.

A visitation for William will be held Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at David T Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992. A mass of christian burial will occur Friday, April 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St Mary's Church, 42 Goshen Ave, Washingtonville, New York 10992. A cremation will be private will occur.