Obituary of William C. Lewis

LEWIS , WILLAM C. JR. Age 96 of Big Flats , NY passed away on Thursday March 30 , 2017. William was born October 12 , 1920 in Seattle , Washington the son of the late William C. Lewis Sr. and Alice Burchnell Lewis. He graduated from The University of Washington in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. Following graduation , William joined the Research and Development Division of Corning Glass Works (Corning Inc.) . He was heavily involved in the evolution of the new process for continuous melting of optical glass for the military , which subsequently found its way to many other markets . Mr. Lewis was a manager of various engineering groups for 25 years prior to his retirement in 1982. He had been a resident of Big Flats , NY since 1949 and raised his family there along with his wife Winifred Jane McIntosh Lewis . They loved their family and friends and enjoyed traveling especially to Key West , Florida . Winifred passed away on August 11 , 2006 after 59 years of marriage to William. Mr. Lewis was very active in the community including Big Flats Little League , Big Flats Community Days , The Youth Commission , The Chemung County Planning Board , and most recently The Board of Assessors and later The Board of Assessment Review. Mr. Lewis is survived by his daughter of Anne Lewis of Santa Fe, NM ; sons : Bradley Lewis of Tavernier , Florida , Richard C. Lewis of Big Flats , NY , and James Lewis of Tavernier , Florida ; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. It was Mr. Lewis' wish that there be no calling hours or services . Arrangements are entrusted to the LYNCH FUNERAL HOME 318 WEST BROAD STREET HORSEHEADS , NY . Words of Condolence and Memories may be shared at www.lynchsfuneralhome.com .