Saratoga Springs – A life well lived. Walter William (Bill) Read, Sr. passed away peacefully on May 25, 2021, at the age of 87 after a brief and courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones. Bill was born on January 20, 1934, in Glenside, Pennsylvania. He dedicated much of his youth to the Boy Scouts beginning at age 9, subsequently earning the rank of Explorer, and culminating to his rank of Star Scout at age 16.  In 1955 at the age of 21, he was introduced to his future wife, Eda Fleischer, by his best friend from Scouts - her older brother. Bill and Eda were married in 1956 and together they raised five children.

Bill was a retired Air Traffic Controller who began his career in Air Traffic with the US Army stationed in Germany from 1957-1959. His career would lead him to Flight Service, then Air Traffic control at New York Center, a brief stint at Ithaca Airport in New York, and culminate with 20 years at Albany International Airport, where he retired in January 1997. In honor of his 33 years of dedication to Air Traffic Control, a Waypoint was named in his honor on the Schenectady approach to Albany Airport. He also received upon retirement the American flags flown over the US Capitol building and NYS Capitol.

Bill was a highly active, committed member of Bethesda Episcopal Church in Saratoga Springs NY. He was an Usher, served two 6-year terms on the Vestry, and volunteered his time with a myriad of church activities.

In his retirement, Bill was an active volunteer with several local organizations. He was a year-round volunteer with First Night Saratoga and joined the Board of the Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs, serving as President for over a decade. Under his leadership, he led the move from the home's original location on Greenfield Ave to Church Street; opened 2 new locations in Wilton and Malta; and oversaw the expansion of the Malta location to create a Memory Care Unit. He continued to serve long after his time as President, retiring from the Board in 2015.

Bill was a devoted family man who never missed an event of his 5 children, 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren - the pride and joy of his life. He found joy and humor in watching his grandchildren play. He had a love of the outdoors and enjoyed canoeing, hiking, biking, and bird watching and even trained for the 1956 Olympic Trials for canoe/kayak racing. He traveled the US, with road trips to Delaware, Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Montana, and Wisconsin.

Bill is predeceased by his loving wife of nearly 42 years Eda. He is survived by his 5 children: Laura (Allan) Weber; Allison Read (Edward Cunningham); Walter (Melissa) Read; John Read; David (Miyo) Read; his 9 grandchildren: Dana (David) Szumowski; Joshua (Erica) Vincek; Stacia (John) Buttles; Josiah (Sheetal) Vincek; Nathaniel (Celia) Vincek; Seina Shirakura Read (Zachary Huxley); Alan Read; Nicholas Read; Juliet Read; 7 great-grandchildren; and loving companion Patricia Dwyer.

Our family would like to thank The Community Hospice for helping us to care for him at home.

Donations may be made in his name to Home of the Good Shepherd, or to The American Cancer Society.

Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm, Thursday (June 3, 2021) at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).

The Order For A Requiem Eucharist will be at 10am Friday (June 4, 2021) at the Bethesda Episcopal Church, 41 Washington St., Saratoga Springs, celebrated by The Rev. Charles Wallace. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, West Ave.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.