Obituary of William J. Allen
Bill was born in Elmira, NY. He is predeceased by his parents, Charles and Beverly Allen. He had three siblings, Sandy, Tom and Charlie. His father was the owner of a toy store, and his mother was a nurse. He graduated from Southside High School and moved on to SUNY Geneseo to study Business and Computer Science. He then got an MBA in Finance from the University of Rochester.
Bill started his career as a financial auditor at Kodak. He was lucky to be able to travel all over with this job, with amazing extended stays in Boston, Brazil, and Japan. After Kodak, he hopped into the computer world and continued on to have an impressive career as a software developer. His financial and business background made him the best software developer out there. Highlights include Retail Sense, Aptaris and LeeverAllen Associates. Sid Leever was his longtime business partner and a true friend and asset to this family for years and years.
However, Bill recently retired from the computer world. He was putting all his effort into opening a brewery in North Greece, NY; Wood Kettle Brewing. He was putting his business smarts to work and pairing it with his love for brewing beer. He cultivated the most amazing space at Wood Kettle and died just before the first big brew. His memory will live on there forever; his mug is hanging on the wall.
Photography was a huge part of his life. He was an incredible, self-taught photographer. From film to digital, Bill took pictures of everything. All his hikes, lighthouses, family trips. It was hard to find pictures to display of Bill because he was always behind the camera! He left files and files of pictures we will cherish forever.
He was also an adventurer. One of his dreams was to be inducted into the Adirondacks 46ers club, but decided he was too old to get them all! (Though he did get many of the big ones in). He hiked many peaks with his best friend John Haring and other close buddies. He was very active with running and loved to bike in his free time.
Bill was the BEST father. We could write an entire novel on why. He had the most amazing relationships with his children, Jeff, Heather, and Jeff’s wife Ashley. Spending time with his kids was the thing that made him the happiest. He went on many trips with Heather; Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Florida and Bermuda. Their relationship had evolved into a true friendship. Bill and Jeff always bonded over their love of sports. Both avid Bill’s Fans, but also enjoyed the Mets. They went to many games together. Bill was the best father-in-law, Ashley was a second daughter to Bill. He loved helping them this last year as they moved into their first home. One of his proudest days was their wedding day.
Bill was also an exceptional Husband. Bill and Nancy met in March of 1985, and were married just a year later. They both instantly knew they were meant for each other. They had a small wedding with close friends and a skiing honeymoon in Lake Tahoe. They were best friends. They bought their first small home in Greece, where their first child Jeff was born. When Heather was on the way, they moved to a bigger house. For years, the family revolved around the kids’ activities. Bill was an amazing baseball coach, and Nancy was a girl scout leader for many years. Bill and Nancy were happy empty nesters; they were so excited to finally travel as a couple, because previously all vacations were family vacations. They made it to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Cape Cod, Boston, and Hawaii together. Sunday morning workout and breakfast was one of their many adorable traditions. They enjoyed many activities together but also supported each other in their individual hobbies. Nancy will keep his memory alive and continue checking off the bucket list they made together.
Bill was the best person. He had so many friends and was the most generous person to everyone who knew him. If you knew him, you liked him. He didn't have one single enemy (other than the NE Patriots or NY Yankees).
Bill is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nancy; his children, Jeffrey (Ashley) Allen and Heather Allen; his sister, Sandy (John) Cornish; his brothers, Tom (Pat) Allen & Charles (Jane) Allen; Nieces, Lisa (Davis) Joki, Katy (Russell) Andrews, Krista (Erica) Allen; Nephews, Christopher (Christy) Pollot, Daniel (Shelly) Allen, Matt Allen and his beloved dog, Jazzy.
Friends may call Tuesday, November 14th from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home, Inc., 735 East Avenue in Hilton. Service will be private. Interment will be held in Parma Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to KAT Animal Shelter, 62 Gorton Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468 in memory of William.
