William "Bill" W. Zimmer

William W. Zimmer - Slingerlands With love, we announce the passing of William W. Zimmer (“Bill”) on May 30, 2025. A longtime resident of Rotterdam, NY, Bill was born on July 8th, 1928 to Marcus and Leta Becker Zimmer in the Town of Wright (Schoharie County) and was raised in Gallupville, NY.

Bill dreamed of going to college, but remained on the family farm for one year following his graduation from Schoharie Central School. Earning a partial NY State Regents scholarship, he was admitted to Cornell University. It was here he met Elaine Shannon. Upon graduation in June of 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Rural Education, he and Elaine married. His early career was teaching vocational agriculture at a public school in central New York State, although the couple relocated several times within the state as they started a family.

Bill continued his professional education while teaching. In 1962, he earned a MS degree in Science Education at the SUNY/Buffalo and in 1973 earned a second MS degree at SUNY/Albany in Guidance Counseling. After teaching at the Jr. high, Sr. high, and Adult Education levels in areas of vocational agriculture, general science, biology, driver’s education, reading, and math, Bill transitioned to Computer Accounting with General Electric in Schenectady. Three years later, his newly acquired computer knowledge helped secure him employment with the New York Department of Health until his retirement in 1991.

After retiring, Bill pursued numerous endeavors. Serving as a volunteer firefighter for eighteen years with the Schonowe Fire Department, he responded to emergency call-outs, and was the department’s secretary until he was 85 years old! As dedicated gardeners, he and Elaine became Master Gardeners with the NY State Cooperative Extension Service. In that capacity, they assisted and advised many gardeners in the local area as well as beautified the grounds of the Frosty Acres Campground in Duanesburg where they were long-time members.

Bill and Elaine loved traveling and were active “RV’ers” for over fifty years. As a result, their travels included all 48 contiguous states, Mexico and many of Canada’s Provinces from the Atlantic to the Pacific. An early expedition covered 28,000 miles over a period of one year starting off with two young children in diapers and yet another epic trip was in 1974 when they drove 12,000 miles to Alaska and back! Additionally, air and travel by sea took them abroad to South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Israel, the Canary Islands, and the Baltic Sea, to name a few. Ultimately, they visited five continents and dozens of countries.

Family history and genealogy had great appeal to Bill since his family roots in Schoharie County can be traced to Palatine Germans arriving in that area in 1709. Since his forefathers fought in the American Revolution, he joined and became an active member of the Sons of the Revolution. He was also a member of and volunteer for the Schoharie Historical Society, housed in the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie, where his forebears so bravely fought the British during the War of Independence.

Bill’s personal faith in Jesus Christ was very important to him throughout his life. This was a belief shared by the members of his family. He was always active in serving those in his faith community. He, and his wife Elaine, were members of the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church in Delanson and maintained many friendships there, even when they were no longer able to attend church services in person.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Elaine Zimmer and his sister, Alice Wilty. He is survived by his son, Douglas Zimmer of Costa Mesa, CA, and his daughter, Charlotte Palmeri (Frank) of Guilderland as well as five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Bill and Elaine resided in Rotterdam for 55 years before moving to Ingersoll Place in Niskayuna in July of 2020. Widowed in 2021, Bill later moved in June of 2024 toThe Beverwyck in Slingerlands. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of both places who gave him exceptional and loving care during those years.

All are invited to attend Visitation on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm with a Funeral Service to begin at 2:00 pm at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie, NY 12205.

If desiring to make a donation in Bill’s memory, both his church, the Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian and the City Mission of Schenectady were dear to his heart.