William White

William "Bill" Bradford White passed away on Saturday, May 8th at the age of 78. Born in Troy, New York to Harry and Ruth (Freeman), Bill lived much of his adult life in Saranac Lake – in, on, and around the lakes and mountains he loved and worked to protect. Bill was a Senior Aquatic Biologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for 37-and-a-half years, helping build many of the research and protection efforts the agency has performed these last decades. He also loved helping run the Willard Hanmer Guideboat and Canoe Race, as well as the 90-Miler.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Anne Baxter, after marrying her on Upper Saranac Lake’s Chapel Island on September 2nd, 1978. He is also survived by his three children: Leah White (Todd Oberdick) of Niskayuna, Shawn White of Saranac Lake, and Meagan White Bianchino (Joseph) of Albany; his five grandchildren; two-and-eight-ninths great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including Debbie White of Kissimmee, Florida; and his beloved dog Pippa, their seventh Siberian husky. He is remembered, though, by anyone lucky enough to have heard one of his many stories, or to have watched him dock a boat, something he did better than anyone.

Calling hours will be held at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, May 14th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Family and friends attending in person are asked to please follow all COVID-19 recommendations including social distancing and mask wearing. Those who are unable to attend are welcome to honor Bill on any day spent with loved ones – maybe on the lake or around the campfire – as there is nothing Bill loved more than his family and friends, and the time he got to spend surrounded by them.

Anyone wishing to remember Bill may make memorial contributions to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, or the American Cancer Society.