William D. O'Dell

William D. O’Dell, 88, of Leesburg, FL; Great Valley, NY and formerly Salamanca, NY died Thursday morning, January 11, 2024 at home following a long illness.

Born August 21, 1935 in Olean, NY, he was the son of the late Fred and Edna Day O’Dell. He was married on May 5, 2000 at Holy Cross Church to the former Susan Wooderek, who survives. He was previously married to the former Diane Cummings, who predeceased him in 1980.

He attended a one room schoolhouse in Chipmonk, NY and was a graduate of Allegany High School, Class of 1952.

He was a veteran of the United States Army from 1955 – 1957, serving in Korea.

William had been employed as a clerk with the B&O Railroad, Salamanca, NY for over 32 years. He had been extensively involved in Cattaraugus County politics for most of his adult life and served as the Cattaraugus County Democratic Committee Chairman from 1977 – 1983 and again from 1996 – 1998. In 1984, he was appointed by Governor Mario Cuomo to serve on the New York State Industrial Board of Appeals as Chairman for 13 years.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis Club of Salamanca, NY and Leesburg, FL. He was a fan of the New York Mets, Florida Gators, Notre Dame, and Buffalo Bills. He was also an avid golfer.

Surviving are: two daughters, Julie (Douglas Thompson) O’Dell, Allegany, NY, Shannon (Mike) Albert, Cuba, NY; four sons, Mark (Kristen) O’Dell, CT, Bill Jr. (Karen) O’Dell, Allegany,NY Andrew (Tammy) O’Dell, Edward (Shirley) O’Dell, all of Bradford, PA; a stepdaughter, Jaqueline (Chris) Downs, Rochester, NY; a stepson, Daniel (Kelly Trudnowski) Fluent, Salamanca, NY ; a brother, David (Melissa) O’Dell, Allegany, NY; twenty-two grandchildren, a great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Janice Klice and a brother, Edward O’Dell and two nephews, Steven O’Dell and John Klice.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 3 – 6pm.

A Prayer Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday, January 20 at 10am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30am at Our Lady of Peace Parish with Rev. Moses Ikuelogbon, as celebrant.

Full Military Honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296 at church.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Autism Society of Western New York.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.