William Andrew (Bill) Woishnis – R.I.P.
By James Allen Willis on Aug 5, 2009 in Memories, Personal
It is with a heavy heart that I post the obituary of my friend and former boss, Bill Woishnis. I worked for Bill from 2000 until I left Knovel Corporation at the end of 2006. Even though I had moved on to another position, Bill and I stayed in contact. A sage friend once told me, “You know who your true friends are if they stay in contact with you after you leave a job.” Bill and I, along with several other friends from William Andrew Publishing/Knovel have stayed in touch since 2006, regularly getting together for lunch. Invariably when we did, Bill picked up the tab. He was that kind of guy. He was someone whom I called a friend–a good friend. He truly, deeply and genuinely loved people–everyone he met. I will miss him sorely. I now have a hole in my heart that was once filled by Bill Woishnis. Please keep his wife Jeri and son Aidan in your thoughts and prayers during these difficult times.
Below is his obituary. Rest in peace my friend.
In Memoriam
William Andrew Woishnis
Bill Woishnis, of Gilbertsville, New York, passed away suddenly on August 2, 2009. Bill was born on September 27, 1958 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Jean (Biergel) and Joseph Woishnis. He attended Cathedral High School, and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He studied acting briefly, while pursuing a career in science. He worked as a plastics engineer for Hewlett Packard in the early nineteen eighties and then founded his own company, William Andrew Publishing, based in Norwich, N.Y., in 1990, with its seminal applied-science series, the Plastics Design Library.
A visionary whose innovations largely shaped today’s electronic publishing industry, Bill co-founded, in 1999, Knovel Corporation ,a groundbreaking data driven science and engineering information service.
Throughout his years with both companies, Bill worked with his wife Jeri Wachter, and a team of devoted publishing professionals, who together produced many applied science books, series, and databases by and for scientists around the globe, in fields such as environmental remediation, wild animal preservation, electronics, plastics design and, most recently, nanotechnology.
Bill was a devoted husband, and a “dreamingly wonderful father” according to his son, Aidan Arthur, who at the age of thirteen is a beautiful reflection of Bill’s true self. He will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and colleagues, who spoke of him as a kind, gentle, and devoted man. Bill is survived by his wife Jeri, his son Aidan, by his parents Jean and Joseph Woishnis, as well as one brother, Joseph, and six sisters; Jeanne Gavrin, Barbara Moriarty, Mary Lee Bertrand, Carol Mentos, Beth Chianciola, and Mary Beth Sutton. He is also survived by nephews and nieces: Jeanne, Monica, and Andrew, Aaron, Eli, Ian, Kiri, David, Daniel, Tommy, Billy, Christina, Brian, Brittany, Benjamin and Yeecel, all of whom he loved dearly. Bill was also a wonderful son-in-law to Arthur and Lois Wachter, and a caring brother-in-law to Jan’Ann and Greg Liberman.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Catskill Area Hospice or the S.P.C.A.
A private service for family will take place on Wednesday. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 289, Gilbertsville, NY, 13376. A memorial service will follow at a later date.
Susan Massad | Aug 5, 2009 | Reply
Bill’s sister Beth is a close friend of mine. You are right in everything that you wrote about him. My heart goes out to all of his family. He will really be missed. Thanks for posting this.
Jon | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
As a friend, and former employer, Bill was everything we all wished we could be. Knowing and caring, successful and humble, a brilliant and aimiable man. I don’t recall a cross word or a negative thought, towards anyone, ever escape him.
Bill was the sort of man, no not a sort of man, Bill was *the* man, that you were delighted to serve with, and proud to serve under. A man of leadership, a man of vision, and a real down to earth problem solver. Of all the men I have known, Bill was the man about whom never an unkind word was spoken, and whereever I am, even in the highest levels of industrial America, everyone knows Bill, as an industry visionary, and as a friend.
If people can pardon the cliche, Bill Woishnis was the guy who showed me that it is possible. Bill pulled himself up by his own bootstraps, and taught others to do the same. Bill was destined be my last employer, as he taught me to rise to fill a need, to lead and not follow, and I am privileged to have had the chance to follow him.
It is very true what you say, he’s a man who remains your friend for life. When my first independent venture failed, it was to Bill I went first, without hesitation, and he was more than willing to help. I’m sad that he won’t be around, as I try to pull myself up, and as I go through this world. He was always a colleague and a friend, and an asset to this Earth, and shall remain so. He will be missed by all that knew him.
To everyone at Knovel, Matt, Sacha, those who are there today, and those who have moved on but not forgotten, and to everyone in Gilbertsville, and most of all to Jeri and Aidan, I don’t know what to say. May he stay with us, gone but never forgotten.
Rest in peace my friend.
Jim Willis | Aug 9, 2009 | Reply
Susan, thank you for your kind comments.
And Jon. Thank you so much for your thoughtful tribute to Bill. He touched so many people in so many ways. He was indeed a visionary. But most of all, he cared–and you always knew it.
The reality has still not fully hit me of his passing. Your words bring back a flood of sweet memories. Again, thanks so much.
- Jim
Beth | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts, especially to a true friend like Susan.
Bill, not only was my brother, but a friend who I could count on in the best of times and during tough times. He will continue to live thru us all!
Terry Underhill Montgomery | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
To the Woishnis family. I was a friend of his sister, Jeanne. I knew Bill when he was a little boy . I was so very sad to come across the article about his death. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Terry
Jeanne Gavrin | Sep 4, 2009 | Reply
Thank you to all of you for your meaningful words. Yes Terry my friend, Billy was a little boy during our high school years. You, who know about loss through death, would have very much enjoyed William as an adult.
Jim Steiner | Jun 2, 2010 | Reply
Hello,
I came across Bill’s passing only a week ago. I was close friend of Bill’s while he was working at HP. I have some very fond memories of Bill and can share them with you if this email makes it’s way to you. I had been thinking of him for over a year and was shocked to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bill was one of the most sincere and honest people I have ever met.
Jim Steiner