William J. McLaughlin, age 96, of Ransomville died Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Lockport Rehab And Health Care Center. Mr. McLaughlin was born March 1, 1927 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Edward G. and Sara B. (Caldwell) McLaughlin. He was a 1944 graduate of Wilson Central High School and was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII serving in 1945 and 1946. William received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Niagara University in 1949 and his C.P.A. certification in 1951. He married Bernice J. Clement on October 28, 1950.

William worked in Public Accounting since 1949 and was self-employed since 1958. He retired on October 1, 1989 from the public accounting firm of McLaughlin and Slate in Lockport, NY. Throughout his career he performed accounting and auditing services for private and public organizations including municipalities, school districts, and non-profit organizations.

William was a past member, President and Secretary of the Lewiston-Queenston Rotary Club; a past Treasurer and Commissioner of the Ransomville Fire District; member and past Director of the Eastern Niagara Chamber of Commerce; a member and past officer of the Ransomville United Methodist Church; past member and Chairman of the Town of Porter Zoning Board of Appeals and past member and Chairman of the Town of Porter Planning Board; a former trustee and Chairman of Lockport Savings Bank, trustee and President of the Ransomville Free Library; trustee of Nioga Library System, trustee and treasurer of the North Ridge Burial Association; and an Independent Director of Niagara Tobacco Asset Securitization Corp. His life was devoted to serving his community.

He was predeceased by his wife, Bernice, March 8, 2017. He is survived by five children, Joanne Nemecek, John (Janet), David (Cynthia), and Bruce (Stephanie) McLaughlin, and Mary (William Anthony) Evans. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 2 great great-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, February 6, from 11 am to 1 pm at HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Road, Ransomville. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm in the funeral home with the Pastor Harold Skellen officiating. Burial will follow in North Ridge Cemetery, Town of Cambria. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ransomville Vol. Fire Co., PO Box 239, Ransomville, NY 14131 or to the Ransomville Free Library, P.O. Box 280, Ransomville, NY 14131 Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online condolences.