William Thomas McCollumn of Rochester, NY, passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital on March 25, 2020, after a long illness at the age of 76.
Born in Hornell, NY, January 29, 1944, William graduated from Hornell High School. He lived in Buffalo for a time before enlisting in the Air Force in 1964. His basic training was at Lackland in San Antonio, TX. He then spent two and a half years as a senior cook and baker at the air base in Rapid City, SD. This was followed by a year cooking at the Air Force Radar Site in Alaska. This took place during the Vietnam War. William was honorably discharged in 1968.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force, William achieved an A.A.S. degree in accounting from Monroe Community College and he also attended Alfred State College. William worked in cost accounting in a steel plant in Riverside, NY. He worked as a cook in several restaurants in Hornell and Canisteo. He then moved to Philadelphia where he did accounting for the Federal Government for a time before moving back to Hornell. He taught Ballroom Dancing at Alfred University. He then moved to Rochester where he continued to teach Ballroom Dancing in the high schools, while working for Walmart for 13 years. Along the way, William achieved a Level Four in the Knights of Columbus.
William was predeceased by his father, Raymond H. McCollumn; his mother, Teresea E. Stanley McCollumn; his brothers, Merle L. McCollumn, Gerald McCollumn, Robert McCollumn, and James McCollumn. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Joyce Holtz, Mary Delap, and Carolyn Amell. Survivors include his sisters, Sally Bragg of Seneca Falls, NY, and Linda McCollumn of Taylorsville, KY. He is survived also by several nieces and nephews.
William’s family is grateful for the loving care he received at Strong Memorial Hospital.