William Richard Lesser
October 9, 1950 – August 13, 2023
Bill was born October 9, 1950 in North Tonawanda, New York, the only son of William Richard Lesser SR and Mary Brzezinski Lesser. Bill was a blessing to his parents who longed for a son to join his sister, Joanne. The family was close knit and deeply involved in the Polish community in Western NY, close to Niagara Falls and the Canadian border.
Childhood was full of family times, picnics and attendance at the local Catholic elementary school (Our Lady of Czestochowa AKA OLC). He attended Bishop Gibbons HS in his hometown and graduated in 1968. After high school he attended Bryant and Stratton Business School and after graduation, joined his father in working for Niagara County (New York State) in Social Services, where he worked for 30 years. When he was offered a retirement package he took it and moved to Florida to be close to his sister, Joanne who was dealing with cancer treatments. He was always close to his sister, who had been like a “Little mother” to him, and he was very proud of her career as a surgical nurse working with dialysis centers.
He was married to Betty Jane Goran and their time in Lakeland, Florida was marked by over 30 ocean cruises to the islands and Mexico. Bill was an avid Buffalo Bills fan when in NY and never lost that interest, holding season tickets and attending every one of the Bills Super Bowl games. Bowling was his recreational interest and he collected bowling trophies to prove his talent! Bill mourned the loss of his wife Betty in 2014 and his sister in 2017, and spent his time in church and social activities in Lakeland.
In 2022 he met Terrie Watkins and they enjoyed many adventures together to Rome and Alaska and concerts and events. He decided to move to Mount Dora to be together, and shortly after was diagnosed with severe liver failure. He went to be with the Lord on August 14, 2023.
In addition to his dear Terrie, he is also survived by a first cousin, John (Kathy) Miskey, the son of his older sister, and his late sister’s husband, Sheldon Graham.
