William P. Coty

December 22, 1946 to January 11, 2024, (age 77)

“Life is a Journey, not a Guided Tour”

Bill was a long-term resident of Watertown, NY. He moved to Brooksville, FL a few years ago and lived in his own mobile home in a 55 plus mobile home park where he was on the park board. He passed away in hospice care of natural causes after a couple of months stay between local hospitals and rehabs. He was lucid and cheerful up to his passing.

Bill was born in Watertown to Richard and Janet Coty, both of whom predeceased Bill quite a few years ago. Richard (Dick) was a full colonel in the Air Force Reserve and owned Coty Machine Company in Watertown, a long-time family business. His mother Janet was a teacher. Bill was their only child.

Bill attended Watertown schools until his high school years. Bill was active in the summers in Campbells Point where his family owned a home and were active boaters and fishermen. For his high school years Bill attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. He played football there and graduated in 1965. Following his graduation, Bill attended Rochester Institute of Technology and then Canton ATC, both in NY.

Bill worked at several jobs in the Watertown area throughout his life. One of his last jobs was at Raymour and Flanigan and then a school bus driver for Indian River School. Bill was married twice, to Doty Coty and Cathy Harding Coty, both ending in divorce. He never had his own children but both wives had children prior to marriage to Bill.

Bill was well known and had a lot of friends throughout the Watertown and North country area. He was a proud 28-year member of Watertown Elks Lodge 496. He was active on their bowling team and traveled to several tournaments in New York state. He was in the Lodge a lot and always said how much he loved the Lodge. He always had some kind of story about his times in there. Bill did not cook much, if at all, so frequented the local Taverns and watering holes which all knew him well. He also loved boating and owned a lot of boats in his lifetime from small boats to larger live-aboard boats (in the Summer of course). He enjoyed boating on Lake Ontario and more recently on the St Lawrence River.

Bill also was into motorcycle riding over the last 25 years, first with his big Yamaha and then his big Harley. He took his Harley to Florida with him. His riding in Northern New York was extensive and frequently took full days. He enjoyed riding with motorcycle group fund raisers frequently as well as riding with friends. He knew the back roads, the scenic roads, and of course the tavern stops.

No services will be held for Bill. Bill requested his ashes be spread this summer on the St Lawerence River which will be done in private.

Bill will be missed by many.