William F. Dexter

West Sand Lake - On February 23, 2023, trumpeter, musician, husband and father, William F. Dexter passed away in the arms of his loving wife and son. Bill was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on January 23, 1949 and a year later was adopted by Warren and Helen Dexter of North Easton, Massachusetts. He spent his youth in North Easton graduating from Oliver Ames High School in 1967. As an OA Tiger he played basketball and excelled as a trumpet player in the marching band and orchestra. He began his musical studies at the age of 6 under Lawrence “Pop” Gurney and later under Andre’ Come’, the first chair with the Boston Pops. Bill achieved notoriety as a soloist with many Boston area orchestras including the Greater Boston Youth Symphony, the Whitman Orchestra, the Plymouth Philharmonic, and the Brockton Symphony. After several years at the New England Conservatory, Bill traveled to Rochester, New York and New York City where he performed as a free-lance and club musician playing and singing all types of music from classical to Dixieland, Latin, jazz, and standards. He performed classically as first trumpet with the New
Amsterdam Orchestra and later as a cabaret performer at Greenwich Village clubs such as The Duplex and Don’t Tell Mama.

For the past 35 years Bill has lived in the Albany area where he performed with his own quartet and as a freelance musician with big bands, jazz groups and as a soloist and performer at various clubs, restaurants and theatre groups. Bill’s hobbies included building and flying radio-control aircraft with his son. Bill was a 50-year member of Musicians Local 802 and 30 year member of Local 14. He was a 25-year member of the Lazy 8 Radio Control Club of Johnstown, serving the last 6 years as President. He is predeceased by his parents and his in-laws Edward and Ma.Pilar Gemeinhardt of Averill Park. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Ma.Pilar Gemeinhardt Dexter of West Sand Lake and his pride, joy and best friend, his son, United States Air Force 2 nd Lieutenant Adam W. Dexter (Andrea Rose) of Ashburn, Virginia. He also leaves his sisters-in-law, Olga (Paul) Ashline, Esperanza (Thomas) DiStefano, several nieces and nephews, cousins Kathern, Arthur, Jack and Valerie Garrett of Prince Edward Island, Canada and Susan Salley of Taunton, Massachusetts. He will be missed by his biggest fans, the OAHS Class of 1967, his many friends at the Lazy 8 Club and his neighbors. We will all miss his smile, his humor, and his steadfast confidence and loyalty.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Richard Orsi, Dr. John Kopp, and Dr. Joseph Dudek and the staff of NYOH and Community Hospice for their compassionate care. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to one of the following charities in Bill’s name: TEMPO (The Easton Music Parent Organization) c/o Oliver Ames High School, 100 Lothrup St., North Easton MA 02356 or The Lazy 8 Radio Control Club Scholarship, 6 Heather Lane, Gloversville, NY 12078 or Sand Lake Ambulance 3643 NY 43, Sand Lake NY 12153. 

While visiting with family, a musical celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Salem United Methodist Church, 349 Shaver Rd., West Sand Lake, NY throughout the day from11AM to 1:30PM on Saturday, March 11, 2023. There will also be a service of remembrance from 12-12:30PM on Saturday. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in West Sand Lake.   To sign the guest book, light a candle or for service directions, visit www.brycefh.com. 

Musical Celebration for the life of William Dexter 

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