S & C

FUNERAL HOME

William Offutt, 68, of Cowansville, President of The Grille Hauss Restaurant in Cowansville, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2011, at his home. Also known as "Mr. Bill," he was an inspiration to many. He was born Dec. 22, 1942, in Oakmont. He is survived by his beloved wife, Madelyn; two stepsons, Warren C. McLeod, of Cowansville, and Michael C. McLeod and his wife, Devon; and a grandson, Jace McLeod, of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his brother, Robert; and sister-in-law, Gabriella, of Wattersonville; nephew, Robert Jr., of Pittsburgh; and niece, Michele, of Pittsburgh. He was predeceased by his father and mother, William Offutt and Emily (Smith) Offutt. William was affiliated with Waterson Methodist Church and a member of the Seneca Lodge No. 805 F&AM. Bill was a kind and gentle man who never had an unkind word, always a smile on his face along with a positive demeanor, even when he was racked with pain from many years of suffering from an arthritic condition known as angliospondylitis exacerbated from a fall at home which broke his neck. While recovering in rehab hospital, he was dropped from the ceiling while in the hoyer-lift, breaking his neck again and shattering his spine. Bill never complained of the intense pain we knew he had and bravely suffered through it without ever asking for or taking pain medication, The amazing man he was, Bill fought ferociously to walk again. He amazed all his doctors and as one doctor said, "Bill beat all the odds to recover." Bill was tremendously disciplined in all phases of his life. A legend in his field in rebuilding burned out refineries and a pioneer in building windmills earning him many awards, he retired four times but there were jobs only he could fix so he continued working. His friends literally circle the globe. He was a pilot who loved his Cessna, parked on his own airport. He loved life, the land he built his home on and the runway he often landed his plane on. He never wanted to leave it behind. Bill will not be leaving it behind because on a cool day in the future his family and friends will gather while his ashes are scattered along the airport he built. This is the only place that Bill would want to spend eternity. A memorial garden will be built on the driveway to his home where all his friends will have a constant reminder of this most generous man and dedicated Free Mason who honored his Masonic promises. Bill was a unique and simple man. If you were fortunate to know him, you loved him. While living and rebuilding a refinery in Pakistan, the wretched working conditions for prisoners provided by third world contractors touched Mr. Bill's heart. He gained their respect and gratitude when he walked their trenches handing out tootsie rolls and was known and loved by them as "The Tootsie Roll Man." While living in Aruba, a riot erupted at the mess hall when an enraged worker with a machete protested over long food lines and bread shortage. Mr Bill, unarmed, respected by all his workers, gently approached the angry worker, leaned of his grievance and immediately divided the food lines and ordered an unlimited supply of food and bread. When the employer confiscated the workers' work boots, Mr. Bill, out of his pocket, bought work boots for them to travel back home. While working and living in Lithuania for eight months, Mr. Bill learned a local orphanage did not have enough food or warm clothes for the children. Mr. Bill shared the knowledge with his construction workers who generously donated money to provide the orphans with enough of whatever they needed. Mr. Bill and his wife regularly sent clothes to buy out the stores at Christmas for the orphans. Mr. Bill wanted to adopt and bring home some of the children but the U.S. Embassy advised him he and his wife were too old to do so. The first day we arrived in Cowansville, 15 years ago, he stopped at the gas station in Cowansville to go in and buy gas. He came out without a shirt on. One of the owners of the store admired his shirt so he took it off and gave it to them. This was my Bill. Cherished husband, friend to many and missed by all. Services will be private. Arrangements are by the SNYDER-CRISSMAN FUNERAL HOME in Cowansville.