William J. Frank

Mr. William J. Frank, 98, of Great Valley, NY, formerly of Salamanca, NY, died Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at The Pines Health & Rehab, Olean, NY following a short illness.

Born October 3, 1923 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late William and Edna Emborsky Frank. He was married November 1, 1943 in the People’s Methodist Church to the former Jean Armstrong, who predeceased him in 2010.

Mr. Frank was a veteran of the United States Army, serving with the 67th Signal Air Warning Detachment of the 564th Battalion during WWII. He was awarded the African-European Theater Medal with Silver Star, Army of Occupation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman with Carbine Medal & Bar, and the World War II Victory Medal.

He had been employed at the former Weston’s Bakery, Fentier Village, and as a self-employed carpenter.

Mr. Frank was a member of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

Surviving are: four daughters, Gloria Goetz, Salamanca, NY, Kathleen (Robert Jr.) Brown, Mechanicsville, VA, Linda (Pete) Fizer, Linesville, PA, Karen (Keith) Payne, Central Square, NY; a son, Daniel (Debra) Frank, Lake Jackson, TX; nine grandchildren, Douglas (Laurie) Andrews, Little Valley, NY, Todd (Billie Jo) Andrews, Salamanca, NY, Col. Dean (Nicole) Case, Ft. Mead, MD, George (Wendy) Case, Longmeadow, MA, Robert (Erin) Brown III, Mechanicsville, VA, Daniel Jennings Jr., CA, Sara McCartney, Meadville, PA, Steven (Amber) Frank, Lake Jackson, TX, Dylen Payne, Central Square, NY; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Frank, Salamanca, NY; two sisters, Barbara (Ron) Tedquist, Bemus Pt., NY, Janice Dry, Salamanca, NY; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Kenneth Frank, Richard Frank, and three sisters, Marian Frank, Joanne Phillips, Irene Grodecki.

Memorial visitation will be held at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 11 – 12pm, followed by a graveside service in Wildwood Cemetery. with Deacon Michael Anderson officiating.

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.

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

Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be sent to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306 or the donor’s choice.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com.