It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" Gutman, who left this world on August 26, 2026, at the age of 83. Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep at home, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. Born on October 9, 1942, in New York City, Bill was the beloved son of the late George and Violet Gutman.

Bill was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Catherine Gutman, whom he married on July 24, 1984. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and countless memories. Bill is also remembered by his children, Tracy Strang and her spouse Bruce Stephens, and Allen Strang and his wife Jennifer Strang. His legacy lives on in his two adored grandchildren, Aaron Niederkorn and Annmarie Strang.

A loving brother to Sally Weinstein and her husband Fred, Bill will be fondly remembered by his nieces, Jill Weinstein Halal and her husband Ian, and Amy Weinstein Plutzer and her husband Mark. His cousin, Glen Tausek, also holds Bill's memory dear.

Bill was a man of intellect and creativity, having graduated from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. His career as a writer spanned over four decades, during which he penned more than 200 books for children and adults alike, covering fiction and non-fiction. He wrote biographies, sports histories, books on animals, and a series on health and safety for kids. His biographies included diverse personalities such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, football coach Bill Parcells, Venus and Serena Williams, jazz great Duke Ellington and former president Andrew Jackson. He collaborated with sports figures Kevin Kennedy, Pepper Johnson and Bobby Thomson on as-told-to books, and co-authored a series of sports books for young girls with current Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts. He also interviewed countless athletes, musicians and others. Bill's most recent passion project was "The Mike Fargo Mysteries," a series of novels set in the 1920s in New York City.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bill was an avid jazz enthusiast and a devoted fan of the New York Yankees. He spent many days at his desk, accompanied by the smooth sounds of jazz and the comforting presence of his pipe. Bill's love for sports extended beyond mere fandom; he shared his extensive knowledge on a sports podcast, where his quick wit and remarkable recall of sports trivia made him a beloved contributor.

Those who knew Bill will remember his unique sense of humor—often misunderstood by the world but cherished by those who truly mattered to him.

A service to celebrate Bill's life will be held on September 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Washington Hollow Cemetery, located at 2510 US-44, Salt Point, NY 12578. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a cancer organization of your choice in Bill's honor. For those who wish to send flowers, they should be delivered to Allen's Funeral Home, 3270 Franklin Ave, Millbrook, NY 12545, by Wednesday, September 2.

As we bid farewell to Bill, we hold him in our hearts and cherish the legacy he leaves behind—a testament to a life well-lived and a spirit that touched all who knew him.