Obituary of William H. Draper

GOUVERNEUR- William "Bill" H. Draper III, age 69, of Gouverneur, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at his home under the loving care of his companion, two sons and St. Lawrence Valley Hospice. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the American Legion in Gouverneur from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Bill was born on November 2, 1945 in Gouverneur to the late William H. and Beverly C. (Cordwell) Draper Jr. He graduated from Morristown Central School in 1965 and then enlisted into the United States Air Force, where he served until his honorable discharge in 1969. He had two previous marriages to Kathleen Papineau and Cynthia Bullock that ended. Bill worked for St. Joe Mineral Corp, Zinc Corporation of America where he was the Assistant Warehouse Supervisor and the Glenns Falls Paper Mill, before working as a Maintenance Planer at St. Lawrence Zinc. He enjoyed bird watching, was an avid reader and musician. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, golfing, bowling and was into astronomy. He was very active and just enjoyed tinkering around his house and yard. Surviving is his companion of several years, Dianna Johnson of Gouverneur; two sons, William L. Draper and his companion Kimberly Cavanagh of Lowville and Ryan and his wife Rikki Draper of Lowville; four grandchildren and two step grandchildren; a niece, Tracie Prashaw and a nephew, Jeffrey Davis. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.