William R. DeGraw

February 13, 2016, dear husband of Arlene and the late Judith J. DeGraw; dear father of Michele C. (Jerome) Puma,

Michael W. (Amy), Kathleen M. (Peter) Grimm and Patrick S. DeGraw; stepfather of Robert J. (Sharrie) Conly, Cheryl L. Maxson,

Elizabeth A. (Delia Cuadrado) and the late Maureen E. Conly; also survived by seven grandchildren and seven

step-grandchildren. Mr. DeGraw was a US Navy Commander. Friends may call Friday, March 4, 4-7 PM, at the

PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS FUNERAL HOME, 1671 Maple Rd., Williamsville. Friends are invited to

attend a Mass of Christian Burial from St. Leo the Great RC Church, 885 Sweet Home Rd., Amherst, Saturday,

March 5, at 9 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Hospital or St. Leo the Great RC Church. Please share

your condolences at www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com

William R. DeGraw, a former salesman, died unexpectedly Feb. 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while on vacation. He was 85.

Mr. DeGraw was born in Grosse Point, Mich., and earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University. He served in the Navy, and was a retired commander.

Mr. DeGraw had a long career in sales after moving to Buffalo at age 25. He worked at Remington Rand, Avery Label, Lawless Container and Tapecon, where he retired in the mid-1990s as a sales manager.

He was a member of Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives and the Down Syndrome Parent Group, and enjoyed playing golf.

Mr. DeGraw was preceded in death by his first wife, Judith J. DeGraw, in 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Arlene Conly DeGraw; two daughters, Michele C. Puma, and Kathleen M. Grimm; two sons, Michael W. and Patrick S.; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Maxon, and Elizabeth Conly; a stepson, Robert Conly; and seven grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a.m. Saturday in St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, 885 Sweet Home Road, Amherst.