William F. Aylward Jr.

Altamont - William (Bill) F. Aylward, Jr., 91, of Altamont, NY, beloved husband of Sylvia M. Aylward for 67 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born November 11, 1934, in Boston, MA, Bill was the son of the late William F. and Marion Aylward.

Bill earned a B.S. in Education from Boston College in 1956, where he participated in ROTC. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 as a First Lieutenant at Fort Bliss, Texas, teaching at the U.S. Army Air Defense School in the Guided Missiles Department. He later continued his education, earning an M.S. in Social Studies from SUNY Albany (1964) and an M.S. in Sociology from the Illinois Institute of Technology (1968).

Bill dedicated 32 years to teaching in the Guilderland School District, where he also served as Social Studies Department Chair. He was passionate about education and helping students reach their full potential.

Beyond the classroom, Bill was deeply committed to public service and local politics. He served as Mayor of the Village of Altamont for five terms (1971–1981), as a Town Board member for the Town of Guilderland (1993–1995), and as Town Supervisor—the first Democrat elected in over 100 years (1995–1997). He later served as an Albany County Legislator from 1999 until his retirement in 2011. Bill loved his community and worked tirelessly to make the world a better place.

A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, Bill also loved the BC Eagles and cherished time on Cape Cod. Most of all, he loved his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Sylvia; his five children: Linda of Norton, MA; Donna (Dan) of Duanesburg, NY; Bill of Delray Beach, FL; Sharon (Matt) of Middletown, NY; and Kevin (Kelly) of Falls Church, VA; seven grandchildren: Nicholas (Kelly), Emily (Chris), Mitchell (Daniella), Chris (Lauren), Caroline, Conner, and Kyle; and his four sisters: Sister Louise Aylward, ocd, of Marlborough, MA; Sister Mary Augustine, lsp, of Enfield, CT; Karen (Frank) of Mansfield, MA; and Kathy (Bill) of Raynham, MA. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews.

Bill’s legacy of service, kindness, and love will live on in all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Bill’s family on Friday from 4-7 at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue, Colonie. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday morning at 10 am at St. Madeline Sophie Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Altamont. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org).