William J. McElhinny Sr., retired postal worker

McElhinny

William James McElhinny Sr., 84, of Cheektowaga, formerly of Williamsville, a retired U.S. Postal Service employee, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 in The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Buffalo.

Born in Buffalo, he attended Emerson Vocational where he learned upholstery, a trade he used as a fabric and dope mechanic during World War II in the 1st Aircraft Repair United Floating unit in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Mr. McElhinny served in the western Pacific and was discharged as an ARUF sergeant from Birmingham, Ala., on March 17, 1946. He earned medals for the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, American Campaign, Good Conduct and WWII victory. He was also instrumental in starting the 1st ARUF reunion.

His family said he loved to share his war stories with his son, Bill Jr., who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, and nephews and nieces who have served or are currently serving in the USAF and U.S. Army.

After the war, he worked for a few years at Dick Auhl Upholstery in Hamburg.

Mr. McElhinny worked for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 20 years, beginning at the former location on Los Robles Street in Williamsville and then later at the Genesee Street location in Cheektowaga. He began as a clerk; then after battling health issues, returned as a letter carrier. He retired in 1984.

Mr. McElhinny and his second wife, the former Elsie Weiss, lived in Williamsville for 31 years. She died in 2005.

After his second wife's death, Mr. McElhinny moved to Peregrine's Landing Senior Community in Cheektowaga.

Prior to moving to Williamsville, he lived in Cheektowaga for more than 25 years.

Mr. McElhinny was a member of the Mason-East Gate Lodge 980 Free and Accepted Masons and was past president of the Ismalia Amherst Shriner's Club. He belonged to Ismalia Temple Legion of Honor; was a member and librarian for Shrine Chanter; was a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rites Club; and was past patron of Betsy Ross-Levant, Order of Eastern Star.

He also was a member of VFW Cold Spring and George F. Lamm Post and a deacon at Resurrection Lutheran Church on Doat Street in Buffalo.

In addition, he was also a member of the U.S. Air Force Museum, a sponsored member of United Service Organizations and a member of the Retired Letter Carriers Association of Buffalo.

Mr. McElhinny loved gardening and golfing and was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. He loved to sing and joined the church choir. His family said he sang with the Shrine Chanters at all of his children's weddings and as Gaylord in "Showboat" with the Cheektowaga Community Chorus.

Mr. McElhinny is survived by four daughters, Linda Dion of Boston, N.Y.; Patti Wallace of Indianapolis, Ind.; Debbie Murello of Amherst; and Janet Gaczewski of Rushford, N.Y.; a son, Bill McElhinny Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo; two brothers, Art and Frank; a sister, Jane Irlbacher; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, July 20 from Lester H. Wedekindt Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Hospice Buffalo, P.O. Box 590, Buffalo, N.Y. 14240, or Shriners Hospital for Children, care of Ismalia Shrine Center, 1600 Southwestern Blvd., West Seneca, N.Y. 14224.