William Junior "Bill" Walck

William Junior "Bill" Walck, 98, of 150 Maple St., Black River, passed away May 14, 2019, at the Nottingham Residential Health Care Facility in Jamesville, NY, where he had been a resident since May 29, 2018.
 
He was born on January 14, 1921, in Lehighton, PA, son of William John and Sallie (Gnitsinger) Walck.  He graduated from Lehighton High School in 1938.  After graduating, he went to RCA Inst. in NYC, NY, where he studied radio engineering.  Upon receiving his certificate in radio engineering, he worked as a transmitter engineer installing radio stations and operating the stations after completion.  This brought him to WWNY-790, Watertown, of which he was the last surviving original employee.  Before his military service he taught radio and electronic theory at Clarkson Univ.
 
He entered the US Army and served with Signal Corps where he trained soldiers in radio theory and operation.  He served in the European Theater following D-Day and finished his military career in the service working in the telephone branch on Camp Drum.  While working there he met his future wife, Anna Kilburn who was a telephone operator.  The couple married on December 6, 1946, at Concordia Lutheran Church and resided in Watertown before moving to Black River in 1948.
 
Upon his honorable discharge from the military he returned to work for WWNY Radio.  In 1954 he was transferred to WCNY-TV, now known as WWNY-TV, until he retired in 1986.  He was known by all as "Master Control".
 
He served as secretary and treasurer for NABET Union Local 24, treasurer for the North Country Library System and Black River Library.  He was an avid investor and enjoyed following the stock market up until he passed.  He was a member of the VFW, received the American Legion Citizen of the Year award, volunteered for the Boy Scouts, and was an exempt member of the Black River Fire Department.  He enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, and especially   spending time with his grandchildren and attending their various activities.
 
Among his survivors are two sons and their wives, William John and Barbara Walck, Black River, and Richard and Linda Walck, Fairfax, VA; four grandchildren, Dr. Ann (Andrew) Iannotta, N Syracuse, Jennifer Walck, Sackets Harbor, Kathleen (JohnPaul) Runge, Okinawa, Japan, and Charles Walck, N Syracuse; five great grandchildren, Scarlett, Westley, Ava, Audrey, and Daniel; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane McGuire; and nieces and nephews.
 
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Anna, on August 21, 1997; two sisters, Sister Bertha Walck and Edna Bornman; and a brother, Henry, who passed as a young child.
 
Calling hours will be 5 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, at the Bruce Funeral Home, Black River.
 
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Black River.  Burial will be in Sanford Corners Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
 
Donations may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, c/o SEMNNY, PO Box 146, Brownville, NY 13615.
 

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