On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, William (Bill) H. Plumb, a loving husband and father of three children, died at the age of 72.
Bill was born in Watertown on March 15, 1950 to Howard and Elsie (Kast) Plumb. Bill was the son of a military father and so after moving many times in his early life, Bill graduated from high school in Pleasantville where he was captain of his football team. Within weeks of graduating high school, the military called and they relocated again, this time to Colorado.
Bill attended and received his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. It was here that he met the love of his life, Sarah (Sally) Plumb. After graduating and returning to the east coast, Bill was quickly overcome with grief at being away from Sally, so he held her hand and flew to Colorado to drive them both back to New York.
On September 9, 1972, Bill and Sally were married in North Bangor. They then moved to Albion where Bill worked on Kast Farm, his mother’s family farm. He also attended SUNY Brockport and earned a master’s degree in urban planning. Bill and Sally had two daughters in Albion before moving to Saranac Lake in 1980 where their son was born and where they would eventually raise their family.
Bill served as CEO of North County Home Services for more than 20 years. It was a job he was really destined for. His passion for his customers and employees was evident at first glance. From employee recognition in the local papers and bonuses to personally delivering food to all of his customers during the 1993 ice storm, Bill truly treated everyone like family.
Bill later founded Adirondack White Pine Cabins where he worked alongside his son for almost 20 years. A skilled, self-trained jack of all trades, Bill has continued to improve their homes over the years. But it wasn’t until 2002 that he was finally able to combine his love of family and building by creating small cabins to accommodate an elderly parent in your backyard as he did for his mother-in-law for the last 7 years of her life.
I know this is going to be long, but it wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Bill’s love and dedication to his local Rotary club. Among many of the civic activities he participated in, one of his favorites was being part of, and eventually in charge of, the rotary dancers at their annual variety show during the Winter Carnival. It wasn’t uncommon for him to ask his family for input on the upcoming show as soon as the topic was settled, even if it was only September and still 6 months away. As a past president, Bill was deeply involved in all things Rotary. He considered both past and present members to be part of his family and did not hesitate to offer help or advice, sometimes when the latter was not strictly needed.
Bill loved his family very much and could count on him for all birthdays, sporting events, graduations, weddings and much more. Traditions meant everything to him, not because of the event but because of the connections and people that would be there. To support those he loved and connect with those in the larger community where possible. He was the kind of husband/father who would come home with a week’s worth “getting better” Food at first mention of discomfort.
Bill was preceded in death by his father Howard and mother Elsie. He is survived by his 50-year-old wife Sally, children Anna (David), Caroline, Joe (Laura), sisters Sue and Barb (Tom), brothers-in-law Stewart and Scott (Janna), 29, cousins, nephews and nieces and his three grandchildren, Ethan, Hailey and Jayne, whom he loved dearly.
Bill is also survived by his four-legged companions Buddy and Matilda.
Consultation hours are Wednesday, September 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. A funeral service and reception will be held the next day, Thursday, September 29 at 11 am at the Saranac Lake Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Saranac Lake.
