William (Bill) Ziegler died on Oct. 2, in Fairfax County. Ziegler, a long-time LaGrange resident, who recently moved to Fairfax, was born in Bayonne, N.J. on May 27, 1923. He was a graduate of Bayonne High School, Class of 1940, where he developed his life-time love of photography. He received a BS in chemical engineering from St. Peter's College in Jersey City, N.J. in 1943. As a chemist, he contributed to the war effort in the atomic research known
as the "Manhattan Project". He was employed by Krieger Steel, a family-owned company, after the war. During this time, he and his bride, Kathryn Owens Ziegler, lived in Bayside, Long Island, N.Y.
From 1951 to 1967, he was employed by Walter Kidde Corp. in Belleville, N.J. and resided in Livingston, N.J., where he mentored community
youth in the Junior Achievement Program. He was a member of the Livingston Historic Society and Hammond Organ Club.
From 1967 to 2002, Ziegler was an employee of IBM, East Fishkill, until his retirement in 1987. He served his community in many capacities during his residency in the Poughkeepsie area including holding the offices of PTA President, LaGrange Historic Society President and Lions Club President.
In 2000, he was awarded the Lion's "Knight of the Blind" award in recognition of his dedication to the preservation of sight, and his more than 30 years of continuous service to the LaGrange Lions club and the community.
Ziegler is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathryn P. Owens Ziegler; his daughter Nancy Z. Lorentson and son-in-law Arnold, of Herndon; his daughter Janet Z. Flanagan and son-in-law Michael of Clifton Park, N.Y.; and three grandchildren, Adam, Amy and Andrew Lorentson, of Herndon.
There was a Mass of Christian Burial on Sunday, Oct. 6, at St. John Newman Catholic Church in Reston. A memorial mass at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Nov. 9 at 9:30 am will be followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery, Kingston, N.Y.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made, in his name, to the National Alzheimer's Foundation, 10201 Lee Highway, Suite 210, Fairfax,
VA 22030; the LaGrange Lions Club, P.O. Box 24, LaGrangeville, NY 12540; or the Humane Society.