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William Howard “Wild Bill” Olmstead

William Howard “Wild Bill” Olmstead of Bonneau Beach, SC and Elkins, WV died on 8 January, 2020 at Trident Hospital in No. Charleston, SC. His first question upon reaching the other side was “where’s the beer?” He arrived in this world on 23 September, 1948 by being in a rush, born in the car between Chester and Somerville, NJ.

He graduated from Cassadaga Valley Central School in 1966. He spent the summer of 1966 doing his share of raising hell and after driving his car up on a porch on Dale Drive in Cassadaga, NY the police officer offered him jail or the military. He wisely chose the military, enlisting in the Navy, which made him grow up fast.

He spent 13 years in the United States Navy, working in avionics and serving on board the U.S.S. Independence, an aircraft carrier. He saw the world during his Navy years. He had more adventures than the average sailor. His one regret in life was not staying in the Navy but it was hard on family life so he left before completing 20 years.

After the Navy he was self employed repairing and maintaining restaurant equipment, and then later worked for Hardees in the same capacity. He worked right up to shortly before he died, being a workaholic like his mother.

He did know how to take time off, and he enjoyed Nascar, going every year to the races in Bristol and Richmond. He loved being at his hunting camp in West Virginia, and he lived for his annual fly in fishing trips to Canada.

Wild Bill was preceded in death by his father Roy in 1988, his mother Edith in 2000, and his sister Margaret in 1947.

He is survived by sisters Elizabeth McBride, Tomahawk, WI, and Helen Dean (Christopher), Van Buren, NY, and brother Michael, Lockport, NY. He is also survived by his daughter Marlene Wolfe (Rev. Ken) and their three children. He is survived by nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, a multitude of cousins, and devoted friends everywhere. He never met a stranger who didn’t become a friend.

A memorial service will be held later in the year at the American Legion in Cassadaga, New York with his ashes scattered at his hunting camp in WV. This is per his instructions. Donations in his memory may be made to Appalachian Wounded Warrior.