William "Duane" Allen

Whitesville, NY - William "Duane" Allen, 88, a long time resident of Whitesville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 at the Hart Comfort House in Wellsville following a brief illness. He was born  March 4, 1931 in North Hornell to the late William D. & Marguerite (Dennison) Allen.  On March 24, 1956 Duane and Shirley Patterson were married in Whitesville.  He had dearly missed the love of his life since her passing in May.  He was a kind, generous man and was loved by many and will be missed by all.

He was raised on the farm in West Union.  He walked to the one room school house in West Union before to going to school in Whitesville.  He went into the US Army in 1952 during the Korean War.  He served in the 1st Calvary Division, 27th Ord., M Co., until 1954.

In the 1950's Duane could be seen in Wellsville working at Burdicks Garage and driving the ambulance or hearse for Embser's. Duane worked for Heart's Delight as a truck driver, and in construction for Dalrymple's. He attended Breeden's School of Welding in Genesee, PA, and worked at both Air Preheater and Worthington Corporations in Wellsville.  In the 70's Duane changed his profession and worked as an owner-operator, transporting eggs for Fitzpatrick Poultry. He later purchased a tractor trailer and hauled Quaker State oil products until his retirement.

He is survived by three children, Judy (Tommy) Johanson of Wellsville, William “Bill”  Allen  (Patti) of Whitesville, and Steven D. Allen (Nancy Wyant) of Jasper; 4 grandchildren, Shawna Cwiklinski of Wellsville, Stanley “Josh” Cwiklinski of Whitesville, W. Daniel Allen of Whitesville and Alyssa Allen of Derrick City, PA; three siblings: Ronald (Carol) Allen of Wellsville; Phyllis (Bruce) Green of Portville and Sandra (James) Fitzpatrick of Whitesville, in-laws: Norma (Donald) Chapman of North Bingham, PA and Jack (Bessie) Patterson of West Bingham, PA; as well as several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins also a multitude of friends.

He was predeceased in addtion to his parents by two sisters, Rachel Lewis of Tulsa, OK and Arlouine Seeley of Belmont, NY and a brother, Richard Allen of Belmont, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter.

A private funeral is being planned and there will be no prior visitation. Burial will be in North Bingham Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Hart Comfort House or to any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.