William James Whalen, age 81, formerly of 328 Brown Blvd, Brownville NY, departed this life on October 23, 2014.  He was surrounded by his loving family at the home of his daughter in LaFayette, Colorado.

Bill's loving parents, John J. and Agnes Bowland Whalen, raised him in Watertown, New York.  He served his country in the US Air Force for four years and was honorably discharged in 1955.  Bill was a 1957 graduate of Canton Agriculture & Technical College, where he received an A.A.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Bill married Blanche E. Whalen, his wife of 57 years, in Black River, NY. The couple raised their three children in Brownville where they built their own home.  When his children were younger Bill coached little league baseball.  He was also an official for his daughters' swim team, The Watertown Waterbugs.  Bill was an active member of the Brownville Town Board for many years.

Mr. Whalen worked for the NYS Department of Transportation as a Civil Engineer for 35 years. After retirement Bill and Blanche moved to Florida.  They managed a condominium complex in New Smyrna Beach for two years.  Then they lived in Summerfield, Florida until his wife passed away in 2013.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Blanche Whalen, son Jay Whalen, and brother, Bob Whalen.  He is survived by his two daughters Jana Whalen, CO; Julie Whalen and her partner Lisa Russell, CO; and brother, Ed Whalen, NY.  He was the doting grandfather to Jason Whalen, Cassandra Whalen Shuler, Chelsea Whalen and William Richard Whalen.  Bill is also survived by nieces, nephews, and eight delightful great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be said at 3pm Thursday, November 6th at the Immaculate Conception church. William will reunite with his wife Blanche for a joint burial service at the Brownville Cemetery immediately following mass.

Calling hours will precede the mass Thursday from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at the Hart & Bruce Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association, 441 West Kirkpatrick St, Syracuse NY 13204 or visit their website online.