William Schaffner Was Active in Community

William F. Schaffner Jr., 81, of Oak Bluffs died Wednesday at the Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, R.I. He was the husband of Ruth O. (Bonner) Schaffner.

Born in Bronx, N.Y., a son of the late William F. and Kathryn Schaffner, he had been a resident of the Vineyard for the past 15 years, formerly residing in Pelham Manor, N.J.

Mr. Schaffner was employed as a furniture salesman with W & J Sloane for 44 years. He had worked in New York and Stamford, Conn., until retiring in 1985.

He was a former member and deacon at the First Baptist Church in Bronxville, N.Y., and a member and deacon at the First Congregational Church in West Tisbury. He was a member of the American Legion Post on the Island and had been active in the Little League and Boy Scouts in Mount Vernon, N.Y. He was an avid stamp collector and loved fishing and quahaugging.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, W. Bruce Schaffner and his partner, Sue Angeley, of West Tisbury, owners of the Knock on Wood Furniture Store in Vineyard Haven; Daniel N. Schaffner of Oak Bluffs and Thomas H. Schaffner and his wife, Jeanann Schaffner, of Mamaroneck, N.Y.; a sister, Helen Zeiller of Guilford, Conn., and two grandsons, Brynn and Devin Schaffner.

A memorial service will be held at a time and date to be announced.