With deep sorrow and much love, the family of John W. (Bill) DeBell announces his passing on August 14, 2023.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 44 years, Karen DeBell, and his children Justin A. DeBell, (Mallory Anderson DeBell), Zachary A. DeBell (Shara Silverberg), and his beloved grandchildren Finnegan and Oliver DeBell.

He will be deeply missed by his mother Carol VanFleet DeBell, siblings Kristine Trites, Georgine Traver (Todd Traver), Melinda Ammirati (Art Ammirati), Melanie Rote and Daniel DeBell (Rebecca DeBell), his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father John Wadsworth DeBell and his son Cory A. DeBell.

Bill was born in Hudson on February 20, 1956, and attended Chatham schools and SUNY New Paltz, where he met his wife, Karen. Bill served in the U.S. Airforce from 1978-1982 stationed at Rhein-Main Airbase, Germany, and Warner Robbins Airbase, Georgia, and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bill worked for NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as a project manager and supervisor for 30 years. During his time with NYS Parks, he participated as a member of the Search and Rescue Team. He served his community as a youth soccer coach, influencing a generation of Chatham soccer players through his positive coaching style. He was a founding member of the Chatham Unicycle Club, and although a broken leg cut short his Chatham Men's Over 30 Club soccer career, he continued to support the team. Following his retirement, he enjoyed biking, hiking, and playing disc golf with his sons and his many friends, and was involved in many volunteer activities, including the Columbia Recovery Kitchen and the Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail.

Memorial Donations may be made in John W. (Bill) DeBell's name to the Columbia County Recovery Kitchen, columbiacountyrecoverykitchen.org (https://d.docs.live.net/98bb14a6ac943d34/columbiacountyrecoverykitchen.org) or Columbia Friends of the Electric Trail cfetny.org (https://d.docs.live.net/98bb14a6ac943d34/ctetny.org)

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at the Albany Medical Center Emergency Department and Surgical/Neuroscience ICU for their great care and compassion.

Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held at the convenience of the family.