William “Bill” Bruce passed peacefully into eternity to be with his blessed Maker and Savior on June 1, 2025. He was the only child of Alice and Frances (Frank) Bruce in Niagara Falls, NY, born on January 24, 1933. He was a 1951 graduate of Niagara Falls High School. After working briefly for Nabisco Shredded Wheat, he began his 38-year career with Niagara Mohawk Power Company (NMPC). However, work was interrupted when he was drafted into the United States Army near the end of the Korean War. After serving two years stateside, he returned to NMPC and married Noreen Mosolf in 1956, and they raised two children Kennet (1958) and Janelle (1960), in Olean, NY.

Later in life, in 1977, he married Josephine (Jane) Griffith which added five stepchildren (Deborah, Anne, Priscilla, Michael, and Eric) to the family. Bill and Jane retired to LaBelle, Florida, in 1991.

Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed square, ballroom, and swing dancing, along with watching sports on TV (golf, baseball, horse races), He was also a fan of all types of card and board games; a love that he passed onto his children. He was still playing cards and working through brain games on his last days. He was an assistant coach to boys’ basketball (5th and 6th grade) and assisted with cub scout activities for the same age group. His two children both enjoyed playing musical instruments and he attended every concert they were in, as well as parades and several football games, marveling at the marching band formations. At home, he spent many hours rewiring the house to be total electric, and did so much wallpapering, that it appeared to be a hobby. He was an avid reader, with his favorite topics being early American history and biographies of the US Presidents. Amidst other activities, he found time to be a consistent blood donor for over 50 years; blessing countless lives.

Bill is lovingly survived by his son Kennet (Vicki) and their two children (Amy and Will) and his daughter Janelle (Jon) Wissler and their two children (Joshua (Natasha) Wissler and Justine (Jason) Thompson—and their two children Joslyn and Jaxten). In the past few years Bill truly enjoyed weekly mealtimes spent with the great-grandchildren and realized how very blessed he was to be able to do that. He is also survived by his five stepchildren, their 12 children, and their 13 grandchildren, with one pre-deceasing Bill).  Bill’s first wife, Noreen, passed away in 2000 and his second wife, Jane, passed away in 2022. Having been an only child, he is survived by three very special first cousins: Marilyn, Carla Sue, and Mary Helen, having been predeceased by the other cousin, Charlie. Bill was the keeper of the Bruce Family history and spent countless hours researching his heritage.

Bill had countless friends, colleagues, neighbors, mass mates, and coworkers, but none as special as Mark W. with whom he shared more laughs and adventures than most lives could hold.

Bill was a lover of pets and is predeceased by D’Arcy (French poodle), Inky (Persian cat), Snoopy (Beagle-mix), JayBee (Schnauzer), and Jill (Tuxedo cat), but is survived by his long-time turtle pet named Weigarts (Wiwi).

Bill enjoyed family road trips in the car traversing the USA.  After retirement, he and Jane traveled extensively, including going to The Holy Land, Scotland, and New Zealand along with multiple Caribbean and northeastern USA cruises. His last cruise was a Mississippi River Boat trip with Janelle.  Many of the grandchildren received individual road trip adventures when they reached the age of seven or so.

He was a proud graduate of the Dale Carnegie professional speaking course and employed this skill in his civic involvement: the Foremen’s club as president, IBEW Union activities, National Exchange Club, and the Olean High School Music Boosters for seven years, to name a few.

His political career included being on the Olean city council, serving on the zoning board, and being elected as a County Legislator in New York. He was a US Census manager in 2000.

Another interest was local theatre, both in Olean and in LaBelle—acting, directing, playing ticket-master, etc. He also enjoyed attending Broadway Palms Dinner Theatre the past 25 years. Bill was quick-witted and relished storytelling, especially that which involved humor.

When he moved to The Palms of Fort Myers, he quickly became the resident association president, and a new-comer ambassador, as well as leading bridge and other game activities.

His involvement in community also included his church—be it St. John’s in Olean (and the related St. Vincent de Paul Society), Our Lady Queen of Heaven in LaBelle, as special assistant to the priest, eucharistic minister, and head of bingo as well as being a weekly lectern. When he moved to Fort Myers, he immediately plugged in at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Community and parlayed his help to The Palms—for eucharistic and rosary services there.

He loved to serve, whether it was for his family, his employer, his government, or his church—He gave where-ever he was and however he could. His was a life well lived. He will be missed.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Community on Friday June 20th at 1 p.m. All are welcome. A luncheon will be provided following. Final interment will be held privately in LaBelle on Saturday the 21st.

In lieu of flowers, Bill requested donations to Hope Hospice, St. Cecilia’s, or The Gideons.