Saratoga Springs, NY- William H. Gnatek (Bill) of Saratoga Springs, NY, 91, passed away at home on Sunday, October 12, 2025 after a long illness.

Bill was born in Chicago, IL on October 2, 1934 to the late, William Richard Gnatek and Gertrude Niemeyer Gnatek.

Bill was orphaned at age 6, spent 4 years in the Chicago Foster Care system, then a brief period with his Gnatek grandmother. A highly intelligent boy, he was inpatient with school and left Chicago at age 13 to hitchhike south to find work.

He spent the next few years working for food and lodging all over the US. At age 16 he applied for the draft using a fictitious date of birth so he could obtain an ID. That ID was a draft card. He was drafted at age 17 and joined the Marines. Through the Marines, he achieved a GED. After his discharge, he studied Economics at the College of DuPage.

Bill's career in sales/management was concentrated in the tissue paper business. He worked for national paper firms, then in 1985 he moved to the Saratoga area to become the VP of Sales for Stevens & Thompson Paper Company in Greenwich, NY. When that was sold to Sofco, Inc., he managed the tissue paper sales for Sofco /SQP, retiring in 2005.

Throughout Bill's career, he was an inspiration to all who worked for him. He encouraged, guided and advised his salespeople to be their best. He will be warmly remembered by all.

Bill is survived by his wife of 27 years, Karen Landau-Gnatek, 6 of his 7 children, Bill, David Joe, Judy, Laura and Cathy Gnatek, 5 grandchildren, Ramie, Stephanie, Lauren, Julia and Bek. Bill is also survived by his 3 step children, Mark Landau, Sarah Landau-Halgas and Matthew Landau, his step grandchildren, Emily, Alex, Deven and Jaithin Landau.

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, October 19, 2025 followed by a celebration of life at 5pm at the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to send a donation in Bill's memory to the Saratoga Community Hospice at www.communityhospice.org, or 310 South Manning Blvd. Albany, NY 12208. 518-482-4433. They were a godsend to us.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com