William Elbert Hemenway

WILLIAM ELBERT HEMENWAY of Socorro New Mexico passed away on March 8, 2012 after a long illness. Bill was born in Gloversville, New York, on 18 December 1927. He was the son of Emma Disbrow and Frank Hemenway, brother of Richard (his twin), Mary Lou and Wesley. After graduation from Gloversville High School he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on board the U.S.S. Corry, a destroyer, as a Machinist Mate Third Class. Bill remained an active member of the U.S.S. Corry Association until his passing. In 1950 he met and married Barbara Turner of Fort Edward, New York, and moved to the Albany, New York area where he graduated from Albany Business College and attended State University of New York-Oswego. During this time he commenced a lifetime career in higher education and ultimately served as the administrative assistant in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at State University of New York-Albany. It was at this time Bill decided to move to Socorro and join the staff at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) where he progressed from Business Manager to Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance. During his time at Tech, he oversaw many new construction projects as the school expanded and matured. These projects include the new library and the dam that bears his name. In 1986, Barbara his wife of 35 years passed away, yet he continued to serve Tech and the Socorro community with the same dedication and talent. In 1992 he met and married Lynne McNeil of Socorro. She brought new life, new joy and new energy into his life. With her support and partnership he continued and expanded his already active civic and social life in Socorro. They immediately became an inseparable team. Bill always had a ready smile and a keen desire to serve. He became a key member of the Socorro City Council serving on the budget committee and ultimately its chairman. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Socorro Chamber of Commerce, the Socorro General Hospital Board serving some time as its chairman, and the Lions Club. He also had an active five days a week coffee club and the Friday night "Bills��?� Club at El Sombrero. It seems everyone in Socorro knows Bill Hemenway. If some don��?�t know him, it��?�s a good bet their lives have been touched in some way by his years of service to Socorro and New Mexico Tech. In his spare time he pursued photography, golf and swimming. Bill is survived by his wife Lynne, his brother Wesley of Paso Robles, CA, his son Mark of Lowell, MA, his daughter Jo Anne Morris of Lebanon,TN, and granddaughters Constance and Brenda. Other survivors include Bill and Myrna McNeil of Las Cruces, NM, Todd McNeil of La Joya, NM, Jami and George Navarro of Las Cruces, NM; grandchildren Mary Jane, Alisha, James and John Thomas McNeil; and five great grandchildren Jacob, Angelica, Sean, Madison and Kadeyn, all of whom knew him as their loving "Grampa. Memorial Services were held on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 10:00 am at Macey Center on the New Mexico Tech campus with Rev. Jeff Finch and Rev. Laura Finch officiating. Bill's care has been entrusted to:
Daniels Family Funeral Services
309 Garfield St
Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
575-835-1530