William G. Floyd

William Floyd was a lifelong educator and a devoted father and grandfather. He died at home July 8, 2026 at the age of 93.

Bill was known for his calm presence and sense of humor. He retained his passion and thirst for knowledge, history, and learning throughout his life. Above all, he loved his family. Across two generations, he seldom missed a game or a play or a concert involving his kids or grandchildren, and he always brought his trusty camera. His family cherishes the photo albums he assembled as Christmas gifts annually, documenting the adventures of each grandchild and their parents over the year. Perhaps his favorite moment in his final weeks was celebrating the graduation of his granddaughter, Olivia, fifty years to the day after his son Greg graduated from the same high school.

He grew up in Yonkers, but came to the Capital District to attend the New York State College for Teachers at Albany (now UAlbany), where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1954 and a Master of Arts in 1955. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Teaching from Union College in 1961 and a Doctor of Education from Harvard in 1968.

He taught science and biology in Ossining and Schenectady — he once had basketball legend Pat Riley as a student — before becoming a principal of Norwich High School. He went on to work for 20 years as a top executive at the New York State School Boards Administration. After retiring from NYSBBA he became executive director of the Retired Public Employees Association and served as a longtime adjunct faculty member at the College of Saint Rose, mentoring teachers who aspired to become school principals.

His career came full circle when he returned to the classroom as a regular volunteer. For the past two decades he helped teachers teach science and reading to children at Lynnwood Elementary and Farnsworth Middle School, beginning from the time his own grandchildren attended those schools. He was known fondly by both teachers and students as “Grandpa Floyd.”

Bill married the love of his life, Joan Labouseur, in 1955. They remained married for 49 years, until her death from complications of Parkinson's in 2004.

Bill is survived by his son Gregory Floyd and daughter Elizabeth Floyd, along with his three grandchildren Billy Floyd, Callie Floyd, and Olivia Mair.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Anne Floyd of Yonkers, NY, and by his sister and brother-in-law, Ava and David Miller of Waynesville, NC.

Calling hours will be Thursday, July 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 5216 Western Avenue, Guilderland NY 12084.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research or the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center.

Online condolences may be made at demarcostonefuneralhome.com