William D. Eggers "Bill", age 81, died unexpectedly on November 24, 2025, at his home in South Bristol, NY. Bill is survived by his devoted wife of 18 years, Deborah McLean, his children Katie (Matt Comeau), Dan (Katie Brady), and Andy (Emily Coit), and his stepchildren McLean (Evelyn) and Christine Quinn. Between them, Bill and Deborah had nine grandchildren, all of whom adored him: Benjamin and Callan Comeau, of Brighton; Luke, Duncan, and Clare Eggers, of Sudbury, Mass., Russell and Helen Eggers of Chicago; and Spencer and Sperry Quinn of Washington, D.C. Bill is also survived by his first wife Martha (Chadwick) Eggers, two nephews, Jeff (Krisha) and David Beilstein, and one grand-niece, Avery Beilstein.

     Bill was born April 9, 1944, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the son of Melvin A. Eggers and Mildred C. Eggers. He and his siblings (sister Nancy and brother Rick) grew up in Syracuse, NY, where their father was an economics professor at Syracuse University and later the university’s Chancellor. Bill graduated from Jamesville Dewitt High School in 1962, Yale College in 1966, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1969.

     He married Martha Eggers (née Chadwick) in 1970, and they raised their children (Katie, Dan, and Andy) in the village of Pittsford. Bill coached tee-ball, soccer, and baseball. He participated actively in Boy Scouts (including as Scoutmaster). The family enjoyed skiing and treasured annual summer trips to the Adirondacks. He passed on to his children a love for the outdoors, a curiosity about the world, respect for hard work, and an insistence on behaving ethically. He also occasionally invented encyclopedia entries in an attempt to win family arguments. Bill and Martha divorced in 1996, but they continued to work together to support their family.

     Bill began his lengthy legal career as a clerk to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in Rochester, NY. He developed and devoted his analytical skills and creativity as a litigator at Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle LLP (later Nixon Peabody LLP), representing a variety of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to individuals and family businesses. In 1973, Bill represented the League of Women Voters before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing successfully that the state should facilitate voting by people who are legally eligible to vote but incarcerated. For a number of years, Bill advised Corning Incorporated, successfully managing thousands of breast implant cases across the country brought against Corning as co-owner of the manufacturer Dow Corning. Bill supervised a large team of lawyers at Nixon and local counsel, and developed novel arguments cutting across legal issues of veil-piercing, successor liability, bankruptcy, and mass product liability. In 1997, he joined Corning Incorporated, where he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel until he retired from Corning in 2007.

     Bill married his law partner and colleague Deborah McLean in 2007 and returned to Nixon Peabody as senior counsel. Together, they represented various pro bono clients, and Bill advised colleagues and their clients on strategy, persuasive writing, and client relations. He generously served on various community boards, including the Advisory Council for the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Policy at Syracuse University, the Center for Governmental Research, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Finger Lakes Land Trust. He continued his abiding passion for Syracuse University sports, especially basketball.

     Together, Bill and Deborah enjoyed traveling the world, fishing, kayaking, and sailing on Canandaigua Lake, and attempting to keep up with the growing number of grandchildren in their blended extended family. From the time they were infants, all of the grandchildren adored Bill and he loved them. He spent endless hours throwing ball, skiing, pulling tubes through the lake, and sharing his love of the out-of-doors, curiosity about nature and the world, and knowledge about business and finance with them. Bill cherished his relationships with several lifelong friends, including friends he made in high school, law school, and early in his career, as well as his golf buddies. Bill will be remembered for his quiet skillfulness, subtle sense of humor, generosity, modesty, patience, and kindness.

     Family and friends are invited to remember Bill with his family from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, 12 South Avenue, Webster, NY. Services will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 1130 Webster Road (Rte 250), Webster, NY with a reception at the Church immediately following the service.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Bill can be directed to scholarships at Syracuse University, the Finger Lakes Land Trust, or a charity of your choice.