William Culhane

East Nassau- William Joseph "Billy" Culhane, 81, of East Nassau, NY, passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2025.

Billy was born in Bronx, NY in 1943, the son of the late Joseph and Catherine Buhler Culhane. He married Eileen Wyberanec in 1968. After the birth of his children, Denise and Alice, Billy relocated his family upstate to East Nassau in 1973, where he lived for the rest of his life.

He was a man of great faith, depth, joy, and humor. He was wise and kind, and touched the lives of countless people. He inspired his family and those around him to be humble and compassionate, to look for the best in everyone, to love, and to forgive. He was proud to be a follower of Jesus, and his Christian faith was the defining factor of his life. He sought to imitate Christ and lived out his beliefs in a tangible way- he was involved in several local churches, and throughout the years reached out to troubled youth, the elderly, those with mental illness, the economically disadvantaged, and those struggling with addiction - ministering to people in need on both a practical and spiritual level. Billy loved playing saxophone and used his talent to worship and to touch the hearts of many. He also enjoyed playing piano, singing, watching boxing, reading, and learning new things. He was the owner of two businesses, a tire shop and later a used car dealership. During his 40 years in business, his establishment became a gathering place for those who needed encouragement, or just someone to listen to them. He had a unique and unassuming sense of humor, often charming and amusing people with the notable Bronx accent he retained for the 52 years he spent in his beloved rural upstate New York.

Family meant everything to him, and his wife of almost 57 years, Eileen, was his truly beloved partner in life, their love story spanning decades, from their teenage years in the Bronx to the end of his life. Theirs was a bond death cannot break. 

He was remarkable, he was so loved, he was blessed, and now is joyfully reunited with his savior Jesus Christ in glory.

Billy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eileen; his children, Denise (Dennis) Powell, and Alice (Frank) Garcia; his grandchildren, Grace and Jonathan Bombard and Iris and Christine Garcia; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Paddy, Tommy, and Timmy; and his, sister Theresa. He is survived by his brother, Chuck and sister, Kathy.

A memorial service in celebration of Billy's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Victory Church, 1312 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Victory Church's foster program, www.victoryalbany.com