LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Charles E. Wille, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Charles E. Wille of Montgomery, New York, died on Wednesday,
December 22, 2010, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Charles E. Wille, a lifelong resident of Montgomery, was born
on January 14, 1929 in Middletown, New York; he graduated from Montgom-
ery High School in 1946 and received his degree in Agricultural Econom-
ics from Cornell University in 1950; and
WHEREAS, Following his graduation, Charles Wille worked as an inspec-
tor for the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC,
and then served in the United States Army where he was stationed in Big
Delta, Alaska; he then returned to Montgomery where he owned and oper-
ated a successful family dairy farm and a real estate business for over
55 years; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille was dedicated to many community organizations
and causes along with his commitment to the agricultural community; he
served as President of the New York State Farm Bureau for nine years,
was a member of the American Farm Bureau National Board and Vice Presi-
dent of the Farm Family Insurance Company; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille was a member of the advisory council to Cornell
University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the advisory
council to New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; in
addition, he was a member of the board of directors of the Foundation
for Agricultural Education and a member of the Empire State Food and
Agricultural Leadership Institute and the agricultural advisory board of
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille was a member of the first school board for the
Valley Central School District, an elder and assistant treasurer of his
church, a member of the Montgomery Board of Assessment Review, board
member of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Town of
Montgomery Historic Preservation Commission, a member of the Hudson
Valley Greenway Communities Council and a member of the Orange County
Citizens Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille considered it a true honor to receive the
Cornell University Outstanding Alumni Award and the Distinguished
Service Awards from both the New York State Agricultural Society and the
New York State Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille distinguished himself in his profession and by
his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, Charles Wille's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his first wife of 51 years, Eleanor "Sis"
Wille, Charles Wille is survived by his wife, Joan, his daughter,
Susanne, his grandsons, Reese and Garrett, his step-daughters, Gwen and
Gayle, as well as his stepsons, Gary, Michael, Robert, and Kevin; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Charles Wille leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Charles E. Wille, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Charles E. Wille.