IN MEMORIAM: Allen Wamsley, 73;
Vietnam Veteran, Reinhardt Retiree
ONEONTA – Allen Wamsley, 73, a Vietnam veteran who retired from Reinhardt Home Heating, passed away on May 16, 2019, at Bassett Hospital, following an extended illness.
Allen was born in Kingston, on Jan. 19, 1946, to Ruth Effner and Andrew Wamsley. He was the youngest of his five siblings, Marie (Paul), Patricia, Butch, Steve (Shirley) and Chris (Russ). He grew up in the Oneonta and the surrounding area, attending Oneonta High School.
At 17, Allen joined the Marine Corps and was a Vietnam veteran, serving at Da Nang for one year, 10 months and 28 days. Allen proudly served from March 15, 1963 to June 15, 1969.
He married the love of his life, Betty Keator, on Sept. 12, 1971. Together they had four children, Ronald (Marisa), Roger (Karen), Raymond Sr. and Melissa (Teresa), raising them in Davenport.
Allen worked several years for and eventually retired from Reinhardt Home Heating in West Oneonta.
Besides his wife and children, Allen is survived by the pride and joys in life, his 15 grandchildren, Holly, Jennifer, Kyle (Brittany), Dakotah (Rachael), Tyler (Cortney), Cody, Raymond Jr., Jordan, Allen, Nate, Rodney, Hailey, Aiden, Cole and Parker; and four great-grandchildren, Patrick, Karli, Tommy and Maddie; his youngest sister-in-law, who was more like a daughter, Lisa (Russ) Keever; sisters, Marie (Paul) Koerner and Pat Hodges; as well as sisters and brothers-in-law; many nieces and nephews; and extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents; son, Raymond Sr.; brothers, Butch and Steve; and sister, Chris.
There will be a celebration of his life at the Davenport Firehouse, Route 23, Davenport, at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 25, with military honors at noon.
Memorial donations may be made in Allen’s name to the New York State Veterans Home, 4207 State Highway 220, Oxford, NY, Attn: Heeyoun Cho.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.