William W. Lake, Sr.

William W. Lake, Sr., 78, of Marathon, NY, passed away on Monday, March 11, 2024, at the Hospicare Center, Ithaca, NY.

Bill was born in Smithville Flats, NY, on July 29, 1945, the son of the late Walter Lake and Florence Sheppard O'Neill.  A longtime resident of the Marathon area, he retired from the Town of Marathon where he had served as the highway superintendent for 31 years.  During this career, he became a member and past president of the NYS Highway Superintendent’s Association of Cortland County.  He was also a member and past commissioner of the Marathon Post #617 Sons of the American Legion.  In his spare time, he truly enjoyed bowling and riding his motorcycle.

He is survived by his children, Laura (Ricky) Padbury of Marathon, William (Phyllis Tanner) Lake, Jr. of Genoa, Danielle (Douglas) Winters of Moravia, and Jeffrey (Tyah Schunk) Lake of Marathon; and a stepson, Joshua (TeriAnn) Montoya of Marathon.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Brandon (Katee) Padbury and Brett (Joleen) Padbury all of Marathon, Cutter (Stormi) Lake and Devon Lake, all of Broken Arrow, OK, Elizabeth (Zarchary) Cobb of Genoa, Kaleb, Ty, and Trey Winters, all of Moravia; Savanah Montoya of Homer and Tea Montoya of Marathon; six great-grandchildren; several siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Marathon American Legion on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Bill may be directed to Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.