William C. “Bill” Drohan, 94, of Kernersville, passed away peacefully Monday, July 11, 2011, at his home at Arbor Ridge.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, with the Rev. Paul Dechant officiating. Inurnment will be beside his wife at Mount Saviour Monastery’s Oblate Cemetery, Pine City, N.Y. The family will visit with friends immediately following Mass Friday at the church.
A native of Yonkers, N. Y., Bill was the son of the late Susan Frances Cunningham Drohan and William Drohan. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from Alfred University, in Alfred, N.Y. He served his country during World War II as a lieutenant commander with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific theater.
He began his career in sales and marketing with Corning Glass Works (Corning Inc.). After 36 years with the company, he retired as general manager of Scientific Laboratory Glassware Division in Corning, N.Y.
He married the love of his life, the late Elizabeth Grace O’Brien, April 28, 1951. She died Oct. 24, 1989. A devout Catholic, he was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kernersville, and an oblate of Mount Saviour Monastery in New York.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and most recently great-grandfather. A man of kindness and peace, he always tried to exemplify the Catholic values of unconditional love and generosity.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Anna Drohan and Madeline Holland; and infant brother Thomas Drohan.
He was a loving father to William C. Drohan Jr., of Seattle, Susan F. Hobbs and Jim, of Bainbridge Island, Wash., Neil E. Drohan and Laura, of Chicago, Elizabeth A. Hanover and Eric, of Kernersville, and Hugh B. Drohan and Lori Sherrill, of Charlotte. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brendan Drohan and Amy, Michelle Drohan, Henry Hobbs, Matthew Drohan, Megan Hanover, Samuel Hobbs, Tyler Hanover, Maeve Drohan and Colin Drohan; two great-grandchildren, Hannah Drohan and Jacob Drohan; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Saviour Monastery, 231 Monastery Road, Pine City, NY 14871-9787. Online condolences may be made at www.Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Service.com.