William S. Clemens

ALLEGANY — William S. “Bill” Clemens, 74, of Allegany, passed away Wednesday (June 11, 2025) at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo, surrounded by his loving family.

Born Sept. 24, 1950, in Jamestown, he was the son of Clarence Homer and Dortha Slingerland Clemens. On Aug. 12, 1972, he married Candace Tracy, who survives.

Bill was a 1968 graduate of West Valley Central School and was class salutatorian.  In 1973 he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Waynesburg College in Little Washington, Pa.  He finished his studies at Alfred University in 1988 with a masters in professional studies in community services administration.

He had a long career as a medical technologist and lab manager for several hospitals, including Corning, the former St. Francis, Genesee Memorial, Jones Memorial and lastly for Olean General Hospital/Bradford Hospital prior to his retirement in 2012.

Bill was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and was a former Jaycee.  He was a strong supporter of the military as a Gold Star Dad, having lost his son Shawn to battle in the Afghanistan War in 2004. From that point up to the present, he and his wife Candy offered their time helping veterans in many ways.  He maintained membership in the American Legion and the Sons of AMVETS.

Bill enjoyed hobbies throughout his life including hunting, fishing and camping, refereeing and coaching sports, and as a certified scuba diver.

All knew him to be a passionate Buffalo Bills fan and a delightful jokester. He enjoyed watching the tv show Wagon Train and always had purple as a favorite color.

He leaves behind his wife Candy, to whom he was married 53 years; two daughters, Kristen (Kyle) Keenan of Hinsdale and Michelle (Tad) Rauluk of Manassas, Va.; six grandchildren, Gavin Clemens, Aiden Smith, Alexis Clark, Carly Keenan, Parker Keenan and Freya Rauluk; one great grandchild, Ivy Keenan; one brother, Charles (Jan) Clemens of Ashland, Va.; one sister, Debra Clemens of Campbell; and several nieces.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a son, SSG Shawn Michael Clemens in 2004.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (June 20, 2025) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A funeral service will be held beginning at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Olean. Burial will follow at Allegany Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bath VA Medical Center-Voluntary Services (memo line: In memory of Bill Clemens), 76 Veterans Ave., Bath, NY 14810; or to the Buffalo Bills Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 118, Getzville, NY 14068.