CHERRY VALLEY, N.Y. William J. "Bill" Harnett, founder and president of RBS Inc., a pioneering motorcoach industry software company, died last month of cancer at his home here. He was 57.

Mr. Harnett founded RBS just over 20 years ago, developing software applications for local businesses.

Before starting RBS he had worked in the Canadian travel industry where, among other things, he developed tour operations management software for a regional carrier, and systems for the Canadian and British Association of Travel Agencies.

In 1989, Mr. Harnett contracted with Oneonta Bus Lines of Oneonta, N.Y., a charter bus operator, to develop a PC-based network system for tour and charter management. Three years later, RBS began offering GoChart and GoTour applications nationwide.

His goal in developing software was to provide superior products with outstanding support, at an affordable price.

Today, GoChart2000 is installed at more than 400 charter bus companies, and RBS is now a leading developer of charter motorcoach and tour industry software. The company also offers GoTour Online and RBS Backup and Recovery.

Mr. Harnett was a native of New Jersey and attended Rutgers, the state university of New Jersey.

He was active in local civic and community organizations, volunteering time to the Cherry Valley Community Facilities Corp. and the Community Health Center. He served on the board and as treasurer of community facilities corporation for 15 years.

He is survived by his wife, Donna, and two sons, Thai and Jonathan.

Memorials have been established in Mr. Harnetts name with the Cherry Valley Community Facilities Corporation, P.O. Box 66, Cherry Valley, NY 13320; the Community Health Center, P.O. Box 206, Cherry Valley, NY 13320; Cherry Valley Fire Department, P.O. Box 502, Cherry Valley, NY 13320; Cherry Valley Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 504, Cherry Valley, NY 13320, and Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Dr., Oneonta, N.Y. 13820.