William R. Myllymaki, 98, of Fayetteville, passed away Wednesday after a brief illness. Born in Penacook, NH, he was the son of Finnish Immigrants Edvin and Lyyli Myllymaki. He attended Garrison Elementary School and Concord High School, graduating in 1934. He was a 1938 graduate of the University of New Hampshire where his senior project of a periodic table with real elements still hangs in the chemistry building. As a boy he helped a neighboring farmer deliver milk, during college he was involved in building road side embankments and worked at a Lumber Camp in NH where he survived the hurricane of 1938.
After graduation, William worked in NYC, NJ and PA before moving to Syracuse to begin his career with Bristol Myers. In 1970 he moved to Puerto Rico to oversee the building of the Bristol plant. He returned to Syracuse in 1974 and retired in 1976. William enjoyed golfing, fishing, cross county skiing, gardening, reading and music. He loved traveling to the White Mountains. He was a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and volunteered at Upstate Pharmacy and Meals on Wheels of Syracuse and Fayetteville. To his last day he maintained his keen sense of humor and his avid interest in US politics and global affairs. His greatest delight was spending time with his family.
He was predeceased by first wife, Geraldyne Cummings and second wife, Mary Lannon; sister, Miriam Kimble; and son, Robert W. Myllymaki.
Surviving are his daughter Christine (W. A. “Tony”) Reddy; grandchildren, Jennifer (Stephen Terry) Reddy, Elizabeth (Colleta Asiago) Asiago-Reddy, Karolyn Reddy, and Kathlyn (Edward) Bender; great-grandchildren, Jonas Reddy-Nicholson, Namoi Terry, David Terry, Iris Asiago-Reddy, Miriam Asiago-Reddy, Romilly Bender, and Alida Bender; special niece, Laura McLellan; daughter-in-law Teddi Myllymaki and many cherished extended family.
Family and friends may call Friday September 23 from 3 to 5pm at the Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville. A service will follow at the funeral home at 5pm.
Contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 or to the Fayetteville Fire Department, 425 East Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY 13066.

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