Saratoga Springs, NY - William J. McNeary, III, a lifelong resident of Saratoga Springs, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2011. He was 76. Born on Feb. 12, 1935 in Saratoga Springs, he was a 1954 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School. Bill was an accomplished businessman, having partnered with his brother, Frederick McNeary, in the McNeary Distributing Company, McNeary Realty and various real property developments. He purchased and renovated the New Warden Motel on Broadway, converting it into the Saratoga Downtowner. He owned and operated Saratoga Bred Farms, a thoroughbred breeding facility and raced horses under the same name. Later in his career, Bill partnered with his son in The William J. McNeary Development Company, building residential housing projects, and in Logistics One, a trucking and warehousing concern. Bill was the trustee of the W.J. Grande Industrial Park for 30 years, bringing employers to the Saratoga Springs area, including Quad Graphics, Guyson Corporation, Slack Chemical, Ryder Systems, Saratoga Eagle and most recently, Leonard Bus Sales. As a lifelong city resident, Bill served in many civic roles, including being the first chairman of the City Recreation Commission; an original member of the Saratoga Downtown Business Development Association; a member of the Saratoga Springs Zoning Board; vice president of the Saratoga County Board of Realtors; one of the founders of the Multiple Listing Service and a board member of the Ballston Spa National Bank. Bills community memberships included being a life member of Saratoga Council 246 Knights of Columbus, an honorary life member of Saratoga Fourth Degree Assembly Knights of Columbus, a life member of the Saratoga-Wilton B.P.O.Elks Lodge 161 and a member of the New York Breeders Association. He loved Saratoga Springs and developed a unique knowledge of the citys history, starting as a boy of eight years old shining shoes and selling newspapers on Broadway during the racing season. Bill was very proud of his heritage with a long lineage of Saratoga roots dating as far back as the late 1800s with his grandfather and namesake who owned and operated the local livery, as well as his maternal grandparents, that immigrated to Saratoga Springs from Italy in the early 1900s. He enjoyed breeding his thoroughbreds and raising them to race. One of his most exciting moments was winning a race at his beloved Saratoga Racecourse. Above all, Bill was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and lived his life for his family. He loved watching his children and grandchildren compete in sporting events and was always involved in their activities. He was the son of the late Frederick J. McNeary and Antoinette DeGregory McNeary. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Nancy Grande McNeary; his two children, Jamie M. (John) Jayko and William J. (Andrea) McNeary, IV, all of Saratoga Springs; his four grandchildren, Stephanie and Christopher Jayko and Nicholas and Christopher McNeary; his brother, Frederick J. McNeary and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Relatives and friends may call from 5 to 8pm Monday, June 27, 2011 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway 584-5373. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:15am Tuesday in St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, 231 Lake Ave., by the Rev. Neil Draves Arpaia. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Avenue. The family suggests memorials may be made in the name of William J. McNeary, III to: The Christopher Dailey Foundation, c/o Mark and Maria Dailey, 23 Brookside Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the Saratoga Springs American Little League, 25 Vista Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (online at www.saratogalittleleague.org/home). The Knights of Columbus and Saratoga-Wilton Elks will meet together at 11:15am Tuesday for Mass at St. Clement's Church. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.