William Patrick Binns, lovingly known as Bill or Smiley Bill, passed away peacefully at home on June 30, 2026, just days before his 97th birthday. He was surrounded by the love of his devoted wife, Dolores, and members of his family, leaving this world the same way he lived his life—with love at the center.
Bill was born in 1929, at Fordham Hospital in the Bronx, New York, to Emma and Walter Binns. The sixth of eleven children, he spent his early years on Clarence Avenue before the family moved to Randall Avenue in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, where many cherished childhood memories were made. He attended public schools in the Bronx, later earning his GED before proudly serving his country in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1950 to 1952. He was honorably discharged after two years of military service.
Following his time in the Army, Bill began working as a New York City Transit bus driver, driving the No. 9 route along Pelham Parkway. It was there that fate introduced him to the love of his life, Dolores Gallo. The two were married in 1956, beginning a remarkable marriage that would span nearly seventy years and become the foundation of a beautiful family.
Together they made their first home on Robinson Place in the Bronx, where they welcomed their son, William, in 1957, followed by their daughter Doreen in 1958. In 1962, the family moved to Mahopac, New York, where Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished. He founded Modern Billiards Pool Table Company, designing and building pool tables by hand. The original table he crafted remains in the family home as a lasting reminder of his skill and craftsmanship.
Never one to stop learning, Bill attended college in Farmingdale to earn his pest control license. In 1963, he founded All County Pest Control/ Liberty Home Inspection. His business became known for integrity, professionalism, and service, values that reflected the man himself. Then they were blessed with three more children, Diane in 1965, Donna in 1966 and Eddie in 1968. After retiring in 1993, he proudly passed the family business to his son, Edward, who continues operating it today.
Bill’s interests and talents extended far beyond his career. He was a cook in the army and got his barber license. At various times, he could be found operating his own hot dog vending cart in Baldwin Place. He often spoke at national pest control conferences, helped establish the American Society of Home Inspectors, participated in local town politics, and later he served on the Board of Directors at Gulf Harbor Condominiums in New Port Richey, Florida, where he and Dolores purchased their condo in 1989.
While his accomplishments were many, they were never what defined him most. Bill embraced life with enthusiasm, generosity, and joy. He was often the first to offer a warm hug, lend a helping hand, tell a story, sing a song, or invite someone onto the dance floor. He possessed a strong moral compass, unwavering principles, and a deep sense of responsibility toward those he loved. His greatest pride was never found in his businesses or achievements but in his family.
He was the father and Pop-Pop who rarely missed a moment. Whether sitting in the audience at school concerts and plays, cheering from the sidelines of football, baseball, soccer, tennis, cross-country, or track events, or simply showing up for life’s everyday moments, Bill made sure his children and grandchildren knew they were supported and loved.
Perhaps no role brought him greater joy—or created more treasured family memories—than portraying Santa Claus. For more than seventy-five years, Bill delighted children and adults alike, embodying the generosity, wonder, and spirit of Christmas that he carried throughout his life. The holidays were his favorite time of year, not because of the celebrations themselves, but because they brought together the people he loved most.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Emma and Walter Binns; his beloved son, William George Binns; and his siblings Thomas, Walter, George, Henry, Edward, Martin, Evelyn, Marie, and Irene. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly seventy years, Dolores Binns; his sister, Florence; his daughters Doreen Binns, Diane Florio (Mark), and Donna Bass; his son Edward Binns (Diane); his eleven grandchildren: Meghan (John), Kristin (Brian), Shannon (Mark), Rev. Br. Finnbar (Timothy), Tyler (Cameron), Matthew (Molly), Colleen (John), Brendan, Ashley, Brian, and Logan; and his seventeen great-grandchildren, Colten, Avreigh, Adalynn, Savannah, Luke, Collins, Austin, Ames, Clara, Mackenzie, Mikayla, Patrick, Julia, Andrew, Kaitlynn, Liam, and Sage.
Bill’s life was one of service, hard work, faithfulness, generosity, and unwavering love for his family. His legacy lives on not only through the businesses he built or the organizations he helped establish, but through the example he set for generations who watched him love deeply, laugh often, work honestly, and always make time for the people who mattered most.
His family will forever remember his warm embrace, his joyful spirit, his infectious smile, and the love that filled every room he entered. Though he will be deeply missed, the lessons he taught and the memories he created will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.