William E. Devore

William Elliott "Bill" DeVore
May 4, 1932-April 12, 2020

William Elliott "Bill" DeVore passed away April 12, 2020, just shy of the age of 88. His life was well lived and filled with much love. His beloved wife, Elizabeth, stood by his side for nearly 66 years, the two of them holding hands every night as they fell asleep. Although Bill's death was unexpected, we would always have wished for more time with him—the man who wore many hats but was most honorably known as "husband," "father," "grandpa," and "poppa."

Called "Billy" by his mother, he was born May 4, 1932, to Albert "Jack" and Nellie (Divelbiss) DeVore in Hyndman, Pennsylvania, and grew up among two brothers and many dear cousins.

After graduating from Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1950, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served from 1952-1956. While enlisted, Bill spent time at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois, Sampson Air Force Base in New York, Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, and Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico.

During his time in the Air Force, Bill met his then-bride-to-be, Elizabeth Sauerbier, in 1953 at a United Service Organizations function in Rochester, New York, where Elizabeth served as a hostess. Bill asked her to dance, the two ate coconut cake with friends, and the rest is history. Bill later proposed to Elizabeth, taking her to Lover's Leap in the mountains of Cumberland, Maryland. Nine months after their first dance at the USO, the two were married May 1, 1954, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Rochester.

The couple spent some of their early marriage with Bill stationed in Puerto Rico and later in Montana, during which time Bill became a father in 1956. A few years later, the young family settled down in what would be their home in Rochester for the rest of Bill's life.

In this home, Bill and Elizabeth raised three more children, hosted numerous family get-togethers, entertained sleepovers with their grandchildren, enjoyed many of Elizabeth's famous home-cooked meals and played many a late-night game of UpWords.

While helping to raise a family, Bill earned an associate degree in production management from Rochester Institute of Technology and spent 33 years working at the Eastman Kodak Company. He also was a member of the former Etolian Lodge in Spencerport.

For many years, Bill served as a deacon, elder and trustee at Gates Presbyterian Church. After an early retirement in 1989, Bill busied himself with volunteer work, including years spent serving at the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester, and furthered his love of antique cars.

Bill always loved cars, fixing up cars with his children lending a hand and collecting antique car piggy banks through the years. For a short time, Bill was the proud owner of a 1920s Rickenbacker. In addition, Bill was an avid member of the Genesee Valley Antique Car Society, and he was recognized multiple times for his work as editor of GVAC's monthly newsletter, "The Brass Lamp," earning the prestigious award of master editor from the Antique Automobile Club of America.

Besides cars, Bill loved to travel. Together, he and Elizabeth seemed to travel everywhere from Florida to California to Ireland, in addition to family cross-country trips in a motorhome when their four children were young.

Bill also loved to grill. Our mouths still water as we remember him firing up the grill, waiting for those Zweigle's hot dogs to be ready for a backyard picnic.
Bill was a humble, strong man with a big heart. He loved deeply by caring for others first and giving the biggest hugs. He is remembered for his smile that could fill a room; his quiet wisdom that said volumes; his love of antique cars and comics; his endless patience; his love for family; and perhaps, most of all, for his hugs that made everything in the world seem alright.

Bill will be dearly missed by his wife, Elizabeth; his brother Robert (Beverly) DeVore; his children Donna (Michael) Dagobert, John (Jamie) DeVore, Laurie (Gregory) Dembowski and Donn (Oscar ValVerde) DeVore; his grandchildren Sarah (Dale Mohr) DeVore, Joshua (Nathalie) DeVore, Allison (Kristoffer) Hamann, Anna (Kevin) Lotz and Rachel DeVore; great-grandchildren Ayden and Isabella DeVore; former daughter-in-law Heather DeVore; and cousins Alfred "Buddy" Kline and Connie Kline; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, but we rejoice that his soul now rests in Heaven. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant sister and brother John A. DeVore. His body rests at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford.
A verse scrawled at the front of a New Testament left by his bed reads: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Col. 3:16)