Potter Hill – William H. Rifenburgh, Sr., 67, a long time resident of Potter Hill, NY, died peacefully, in the arms of his loving wife Gayle on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, at the Samuel Stratton, VA Medical Center in Albany, NY, following a long illness.
Born on the family farm in Tomhannock, December 30, 1945, Bill was the son of the late Gordon and Elizabeth (Peters) Rifenburgh and the husband for over 47 years of Gayle M. (Church) Rifenburgh of Potter Hill, who survives. Bill and Gayle were married on April 10, 1966. Bill attended Hoosic Valley High School. On January 23, 1963, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Vietnam earning awards as a marksman and expert with several types of rifles. He was honorably discharged on January 21, 1966. Upon returning home Bill was employed for over ten years as a production worker at the Norton Company in Watervliet, NY, and later for over 20 years as a truck driver by the Grand Union Warehouse in Waterford, NY. Most recently he had been employed as a driver by Penske Transportation Services in Albany.
Bill was a member of the American Legion Post in Albany. In his quiet time he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing and spending quiet time with his wife piecing together jigsaw puzzles.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his children, Wanda and James Greeley of Grafton, NY, and William and Tracey Rifenburgh Jr. of Potter Hill, two grandchildren, Charles Griffis and Cassidy Rifenburgh, both of Potter Hill, four brothers, two sisters and many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents he is pre-deceased by three brothers.
At Bill’s request, a private interment service with military honors was held at the Gerald B. H. Solomon National Veteran’s Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 16, at 8 pm. at the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps, 60 Parker School Road in Pittstown, NY, with long time friend Gaylord Campbell officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the Rescue Squad house from 6 to 8 pm prior to the service.
At the request of the family, memorial contributions, rather than flowers, may be made to either the Hoosick Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 167, Hoosick, NY, 12089, or to the American Heart Association, Albany Chapter, 440 New Karner Road, Albany, NY, 12205, in memory of William H. Rifenburgh Sr.
Funeral service details are under the direction of the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown, NY.