William O. "Bill" Lorenz

William O. “Bill” Lorenz, 93, of Norwich, died on Monday, February 12, 2024 at UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Born on July 24, 1930, in Riverhead, NY, Bill was a son of the late Oscar and Madeline (Payne) Lorenz. Bill attended school on Long Island and relocated to upstate New York in 1972 to follow his dream of being a farmer. He farmed in Mt. Upton, NY and later bought a farm in Marathon, NY until his retirement in 1986 when he moved to New Jersey and took a position with Princeton University as an animal caretaker. In 1995 Bill made his final move back to Norwich where he officially retired.

Bill was a horse lover and could often be seen wearing his western style clothing. He also enjoyed car races and was a member of City Church in Norwich.

On January 31, 1993, Bill married Frances Bartmess, who survives. He is also survived by his children, Jean (Jeff) Tritt, of Rainbow City, AL, Ken (Paula) Lorenz, of Norwich, and Patricia Golicki, of Cincinnatus, NY; step-children, Ed (Donna) Leighton, Craig Leighton, John Leighton, Albert (Kellie) Leighton, and Stephen Leighton; grandchildren, Sean (Gena) Lorenz, Rachel (David) Volzer, Elizabeth Golicki, Leo Golicki, and Jacquelyn Golicki; nine step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and seven step great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his siblings, Doug, Fred, Jack, David, Paul, and RuthAnn.

A memorial service for Bill will be held at the City Church, 97 Silver Street, Norwich at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 24, 2024, with Pastor Zach Thorp, officiating. Friends and family are invited to call at the church from 12:00 pm until the time of the service. Burial will occur in the spring in Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be made to Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Program, 544 County Rd 4, Oxford, NY 13830.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home.