William Albert Roeske

Caneadea --- William Albert ‟Bill” Roeske of Caneadea died Sunday, March 15, 2015 in his home.  He was born on August 23, 1933 in Rockville, a son of the late Henry and Gertrude Chamberlain Roeske. On June 27, 1965 in the First Baptist Church of Elma he married Jane Gregg who survives.

He was a graduate of Cuba Central School, class of 1952, received his Bachelor’s Degree in math and physics from Houghton College in 1956 and his Master’s Degree from the University of Buffalo in Applied Mathematics in 1961.

He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 using first generation computer science technology for research.

William taught mathematics from 1960 to 1965 at Erie County Technical Institute. While serving at Houghton College from 1965 to 1995 as an Associate Professor, William taught mathematics and computer science.  He also was Director of Data Processing.  He had a 25 year membership with the Association of Small Computer Users in Education and was on the Board of Directors for four years serving as treasurer for two years.

He served in many local organizations including the Town Council in Caneadea from 1975 to 1983 and Belfast Central School Board from 1983 to 1994. William was active in his church serving as Sunday School Superintendent in the Cuba Wesleyan Church. In the Houghton Wesleyan Church he taught Sunday school, served on the Board of Elders, Board of Trustees and Boy Scout Troop 743 for 14 years as Assistant Scout Master and Scout Master. In his retirement years William served with the Gideon’s International.

He enjoyed gardening, music, bird watching, biking, travel, building and his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are their children, Martha (Shawn) Skeele of DeRuyter, Peter (Faith) Roeske of Fillmore, six grandchildren, Aubrey, Autumn and Noah Skeele, Adeline, Hannah and William Roeske, a sister Dorothy (Melvin) Dye of Cuba and four nieces.

Family and friends may gather from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the Houghton Wesleyan Church where a funeral service will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Belfast.

Memorials if desired to: Houghton College, Houghton Wesleyan Church or Gideon’s International.       

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