Visitation: No Prior Visitation
Service: SATURDAY, October 24, 2020: A private funeral service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. KASTING – William L.
October 12, 2020.
Beloved husband of
the late Priscilla P.
(nee Phillips) Kasting;
loving father of Lauren
(Vincent) Shaw, William
(Amy), Mark (Christine)
Kasting and the late Diane L. Kasting;
dear grandfather of Laura, W. Samuel,
W. Jacob, Melissa and Krysten; greatgrandfather of Knox.
Funeral
Services were held privately. Memorials may be
made to the Salvation Army.
Arrangements by the DIETRICH
FUNERAL HOME, INC. Condolences
at www.TheDietrichFuneralHome.com June 19, 1931 – Oct. 12, 2020 William L. Kasting, of Getzville, a wholesale florist for more than 40 years, died unexpectedly Oct. 12 at Buffalo Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was 89. He succeeded his father as president of William F. Kasting Co. Inc. Wholesale Florist, a company in the flower district on Oak Street in downtown Buffalo. It was founded in 1887 by his grandfather, who also was Buffalo postmaster. Born in Buffalo, he was a 1949 graduate of Bennett High School, where he was a member of the swimming team. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University, Mr. Kasting enlisted in the Marine Corps and served as an officer in Korea, directing flight crews on their missions. He attained the rank of first lieutenant. He joined the family business in 1956, became president upon the death of his father in 1974 and retired in 1997. Active in New York State Flower Industries Inc., he served on numerous committees and subcommittees. Mr. Kasting was a past president of the Rotary Club of Buffalo and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Active in the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, he served as admiral for the annual Yagatta Regatta fundraiser and volunteered for many of the society’s committees and charitable events. He was a member of the University at Buffalo’s Community Advisory Council and a member emeritus of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. A member of Sigma Chi fraternity at Colgate, he was a Life Loyal Sig. He also was a member of the Buffalo Club. Mr. Kasting was a certified scuba diver and a licensed pilot. He also was an avid skier, swimmer and tennis player. A Snyder resident before moving to Getzville about 30 years ago, he enjoyed traveling and visited most of Europe and South America, as well as Japan and China. He regularly visited Aruba, most recently in January. His wife of 64 years, the former Priscilla Phillips, died in 2017. Survivors include a daughter, Lauren Shaw; two sons, William F. and Mark; five grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Services will be private.