William "Bill" John Lewis

William “Bill” Lewis, 78, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2024 at Valley Vista Memory Care in Sandpoint, Idaho. Bill was born on July 28,1945 in Schenectady, New York, the son of Edward O. Lewis and Mildred Hildebrand Lewis. He is survived by his wife Mary Poole Lewis, daughter Jennifer Lewis Westervelt, her husband Brian Westervelt, and granddaughter Maddie Grace Westervelt. Bill is also survived by extended family, and close friends.

Bill was a Fire Control Technician in the United States Navy before and during the Vietnam War. Following service to his country he was employed at General Electric of Schenectady, New York as a design/draftsman working in both steam and gas turbine departments.

In 1975 he opened Adirondack Bicycle, Repair & Touring Shop on a part-time basis in Scotia, NY. In 1979 he resigned his position at GE and began a 40-year career at the bicycle shop. Following his sense of curiosity, he hand-crafted a bicycle for himself which led to further custom-built bicycles for family and bicycle shop clientele.

Curiosity also led him to teach himself photography, both film and digital, and to teach Mary, Jennifer, and Maddie Grace. He also inspired family and friends to explore opportunities in the great outdoors. Restoring an Adirondack guide boat, learning fly fishing, becoming a diner regular, being a life-long volunteer fireman, spoiling several perfectly good Golden Retrievers, writing journals, taking his beloved granddaughter on outdoor jaunts, baking his own special sourdough bread, and so many adventures enriched his life.

A memorial service will be forthcoming in New York which will be announced at a later date. A memorial contribution may be made in his name to Tin Can Sailors at destroyers.org.

Remember Bill today by taking a hike, looking up something that sparks your curiosity, take an interesting photo, and hold those close to you!