HERKIMER - William E. Riesel, 85, of 105 Protection Ave., formerly of Steuben Hill Road, passed away Monday evening, Aug. 6, 2001, in Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion. He was born Oct. 2, 1915, in Herkimer, son of the late Frederick E. and Pauline Nitz Riesel. A lifelong Herkimer resident, he was raised and educated in Herkimer schools. On June 6, 1938, he married Marion Thompson in the family home in Herkimer. From 1943 to 1963, Mr. Riesel owned and operated his own dairy farm on Steuben Hill Road. In 1963, he started his own welding business, retiring in 1972. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marion; a daughter, Joyce E. Riesel of Herkimer; two nephews, Timothy Riesel of Cold Brook and Richard G. Riesel of Herkimer. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Richard E. Riesel and a sister, Marion Weed. Funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court St., Herkimer. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Friday morning two hours prior to the funeral service (from 9-11 a.m.) Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.