William Dranchak, 96, of Endwell, NY, passed away very peacefully on Saturday April 8, 2023 at Lourdes Hospital, and went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Bill” as he preferred to be called, was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Anna Dranchak, his brothers: Michael and John Dranchak and one other brother, his son, Daniel, and his wife of 67 years, Nadine, and is survived by his son, David, all of whom he dearly loved more than anything in this world.

He is also survived by nieces and nephews including: John M. Maliwacki, Marty and Danny Sullivan, Marie and godson David Williams, Sydney Bouton, and Cathy Stevens, and many great-nieces and great-nephews including: Kaitlyn Stevens who was working in his wing at Lourdes at the time of his passing, Sophia Maliwacki who won his heart last Thanksgiving, and Brian and Mary Williams and their son, great-great-nephew Jack, who Bill had the privilege of meeting and holding for the first time in July 2021.

Bill's first church was SS. Peter and Paul on Watson Blvd. in Endicott, NY until his parents were part of the group that started St. Mary's Orthodox Church in Endicott, NY and until he married Nadine. While at St. Mary's he was member of an ethnic male singing group named the “Russianaires” and he also was a soloist with them. Since May 17th, 1952, the date he and Nadine were married, he was a parishioner of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Endicott, NY and had dedicated years of service in different capacities including: being a member of the church board; writing and publishing a weekly bulletin for many years; writing, hosting and recording the “The Orthodox Christian Program” which was broadcast on WENE on Sunday mornings for over 1000 consecutive weeks, and featured homilies by the Orthodox priests in the area; and he also was a faithful member of the bass section of the church choir for over 65 years.

He graduated from Union Endicott High School in January 1945 and went for immediate induction into the U.S. Army. His was supposed to be in the invasion of Japan, but was saved from almost certain death by the dropping the atomic bombs on Japan. Instead he was assigned to a motor pool in Manilla in the Philippines, and he first learned to drive on a tractor trailer. He was later assigned to the Headquarters of the 7th Air Force at Hickam Field, Oahu, Hawaii as an office clerk, an assignment he truly enjoyed. He was honorably discharged in November 1946 at age 19. He enrolled part-time at Triple Cities College in Endicott, NY, which became Harpur College and now is known as Binghamton University, and completed three years of classes over the next two decades.

Bill was hired by IBM in 1950 and started out cutting grass at the IBM Country Club. He then became a janitor and later a Carroll Printing Press operator where he got to demonstrate his writing skills by writing two manuals that caught the eye of the manager of the Writing Group where he became an editor for many years. He then moved to the Communication Group where he: wrote articles for the daily IBM newsletters, reviewed and edited speeches for executives, prepared technical papers for presentation and/or publication outside of IBM, taught English classes to improve the writing skills of employees, and started the Authors Recognition Program. He retired from IBM in 1984 and after retirement, he wrote articles for the United Health Services “Senior Security News” for several years.

Bill's hobbies included singing, gardening, golfing, ethnic cooking, traveling, mushroom hunting, and starting every day by doing the “JUMBLE”, “Find the Words” and at least one crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

Bill's family wishes to offer special thanks to: Dr. Saqib Iqbal and nurse Tracey; Colleen Cameron NP; Dr. Steven Malkin and nurses Cyndi and Eve; Dr. Michail Vitellas; Dr. Bridget Akel; Dr. Steven Hassig; Dr. Randy Holly; Dr. Ryan Olbrys and Belinda, Darlene, Nicole and Veronica; Nick and Dan Perrino DC, Andrea Stenta DPT, Mike Isenberg PT, Nick Sees RN CPT, and Bob Anderson LMT (and so much more).

Bill's family also wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to special friends and neighbors: Velma Fotorny, the Kocenkos, the Parkolaps, the Borases, the Tatuskos, the Kushners, the Tatichs, the Garners, the Wilkes, the Crolls, the Hitchkos, the Essermans, the Andersons, the Vanderbrooks, the Banners, the Malkins, the Robertos, the Bassanos, the Mitchells, the Spratleys, the Barretts, Dave Wierbowski, Joe Jecen, Bob Pogoda, Bob Sisolak, Cal Palmer, Sean Canfield and many other friends throughout his life.

We are forever grateful to the SS. Peter and Paul Church family for their unwavering love and support and to everyone for all of the outpouring of love, prayers, and cards received throughout his health challenges over the years. The hope, support, and comfort they provided are beyond measure.

The family will receive friends at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday April 20 at SS. Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church, 210 Hill Avenue, Endicott, until the funeral service begins at 10:30 a.m. The burial will be in the parish cemetery. Co-celebrants of the funeral service will be V. Rev. Alexey Karlgut and Fr. Timm Holowatch.

It is requested that in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Bill's memory be preferably made to the SS. Peter and Paul Legacy Fund, or to a charity of one's choice.

Kindly share your reflections of Bill on this tribute wall and guestbook at CHOPYAK-SCHEIDER.COM.