William James Boerst

William James Boerst, 84, of Crest View Heights, Endicott, NY  and formerly of Jamestown NY, passed away June 1, 2023 at home after a brief illness.

A lifelong resident of Jamestown NY, Bill was born February 17, 1939 to the late William Wright and Rosemary Herkert Boerst.

Bill was a graduate of Jamestown High School, class of 1957 and SUNY Fredonia, class of 1962. Bill taught English his whole career, starting at Indian River Central School in northern NYS in 1962. He taught in Liberia, West Africa as part of the Peace Corps 1962-1965. He taught at Watertown HS 1965-1967; at Lincoln Junior HS 1967-1978; at Jamestown HS 1978-1999. He taught English and supervised student teachers part-time at SUNY Fredonia from 2000 until his retirement in 2010. In his retirement, Bill wrote ten books (biographies for young adults), published by Morgan Reynolds.

Bill was preceded in death by wife Rachel Molin Boerst (12/31/2018). He is survived by daughters Robin Boerst and Julie (Joe) Boerst Italiano; grandchildren: Dmitri, Susanna, Violet, and Beatrice Italiano, all of Endicott NY; two sisters: Betty Lou Blixt and Barb (Ed) Slumsky, both of Jamestown NY; brother Robert Boerst of The Villages FL; sisters-in-law Diana Gronquist and Linda Costanzo.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.

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