William Elder

Mr. William L. Elder, age 95, formerly of Great Valley, NY died Sunday, April 7, 2019 at The Pines of Olean following a long illness.

Born August 16, 1923 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late John L. and Annetta L. Weishan Elder. He was married November 24, 2007 in Ellicottville, New York to the former Betty Simons Prey, who survives.

Mr. Elder survived polio as an infant.

He was a graduate of Little Valley Central School, Class of 1942. He attended welding school.

Mr. Elder was employed as a heavy equipment operator with Allegany State Park for over eighteen years, retiring in 1980. He also operated a dairy farm on Rt. 353 in Little Valley, NY.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ellicottville and the former St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Little Valley. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Surviving besides his wife are: a nephew, Bruce Bremer; two nieces, Nancy Flowers, Santa Fe Springs, CA, Ann Flowers, LaHabra Heights, CA; three step-sons, Douglas (Chris) Prey, Great Valley, NY, Kevin (Colleen) Prey, Allegany, NY, Les (Elaine) Prey, Kill Buck, NY.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Marie Bremer and Ruth L. Flowers and a nephew, Bernard Bremer.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

There will be no visitation. Private funeral services will be held by the family.

Burial will be in Little Valley Rural Cemetery.

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