Obituary of William Cranston

William M. Cranston, 93, of Poughkeepsie, NY, and previously of Pittsburgh, PA, died Saturday, September 27, 2014 at The Pines of Poughkeepsie. Born on December 12, 1920 in W. Virginia, he was the son of the late Robert Walker and Dorothy Miller Cranston. Bill had served in the United States Army as a Lieutenant and was a graduate of the University of Michigan in chemical engineering. On July 20, 1946 he married Edith S. Cook at the Christ Episcopal Church in Poughkeepsie and she predeceased him on November 1, 2011. Bill had worked for Western Publishing as a Chemical Engineer, was Head of Public Works for the City of Poughkeepsie, was the City of Poughkeepsie Manager and also sold real estate. Bill retired in 2004. Bill was a member of the Dutchess Golf & Country Club, the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club, Poughkeepsie Rotary, Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce and was active with the Boy Scouts of America. He loved to golf and ski and he enjoyed working. He loved his kids and grandchildren and loved to listen to the Three Tenors and Pavarotti. Bill is survived by his son James Spencer Cranston of Salem, CT and his daughter Nancy Cranston Payne of Poughkeepsie. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife Edith, Bill was predeceased by his brothers Robert Walker, II, James and Dick. There are no calling hours. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 10:30am at the Christ Episcopal Church. Burial will follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com