William W. "Willy" Staigar, Sr.

William W. “Willy” Staigar Sr., age 89, of Wilton, NY went home to be with the Lord on January 29, 2021 after a short illness. He was the son of the late Martin Staigar and Mary Tekula Staigar. Born on Jones Rd in Wilton, Willy spent his youth working the family farm and took sole responsibility for the farm when his brothers went off to fight in WWll. When they came back, he went to work on Pepper’s Turkey Farm. In 1955 he met the love of his life and his wife of 64 years, Barbara Benson. Married in October of 1956, they built a life together raising four boys on Clinton Street in Saratoga. Willy joined the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union local 773 in Glens Falls becoming a lifetime member. After completing his Apprenticeship, Willy worked in construction and would frequently travel from job site to job site working shutdowns in various power plants. In the late seventies he worked in Lake Placid building the facilities for the 1980 Olympics, a job he was particularly proud of.

Upon his retirement, he joined the Maple Avenue Fire Department where he eventually became a lifetime member. Besides his family and friends, serving his community was a great source of pride for him. He also spent his off time coaching his boys in Pop Warner Football, Baseball and Boy Scouts. He had many friends in and around Saratoga. You could find the unofficial “Mayor” of Wilton holding court most mornings at the Jones Rd Stewarts or at Lant’s Garage cracking jokes and greeting you with a big smile, and if you were a good friend, hopefully you earned a nickname. He is going to be missed.

Aside from his parents, Willy was predeceased by his Sisters Mary Slama and Theresa “Tessie” Farrell and his brothers John Staigar and Frank Staigar. He is survived by his wife Barbara, a brother, Joseph Staigar of East Hanover, NJ. His four sons, William Staigar Jr (Lori), David Staigar (Jocelyn), Scott Staigar (Ashley) and James Staigar. His Grandchildren Claire Uotila (Christopher) Justin Staigar (Lauren), William Staigar lll (Sarah), Jesse Staigar, Alex Buswell, Bryan Staigar (Kris), Erica Bussing (Richard), Brett Staigar, Sadie Staigar, Emma Baird, Dawn Baird, Jessica Staigar, Jade Baird, Eric Baird and 12 Great Grandchildren.

The Staigar Family would like to thank the amazing staff of the Rubin Dialysis Center, Dr. Daoui and Dr. Burchell. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rubin Dialysis Center or the Maple Avenue Fire Department.

A funeral service will be held at 4 pm on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  Family and friends may call from 1 pm to 3:45 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Due to the ongoing public health concerns of COVID-19 social distancing as well as mandatory wearing of a face mask is required.

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