IN MEMORIAM:  Bill Armstrong, 89; WWII Veteran, Father Of 7

COOPERSTOWN – William T. “Bill” Armstrong, a World War II veteran and long-time resident of Cooperstown, died Wednesday , June 18, 2014, at Fox Hospital in Oneonta.  He was 89. A native of Springfield Center, he was born there July 31, 1924, a son of William J. and Beatrice (Kelly) Armstrong.

After graduating from Springfield High School, Bill enlisted in the Army and served his country during World War II in artillery operations and as a radio operator.  Bill rarely talked about his combat experience; however, his Army record and medals reflect his active participation in three major battles in North Africa and Italy.

On July 31, 1948, Bill married Ellen Margaret Kelly in Little Falls.  They soon moved to Cooperstown, and for over 50 years lived on Susquehanna Avenue, where they raised a large family.

After the war, Bill was hired by New York Telephone.  He rose through the ranks, eventually overseeing many local telephone company offices.

In his retirement, he worked for over 15 summer seasons at the Leatherstocking Golf Course.  An avid golfer and golf ball hunter, he loved this job, and made many friends during his years at the course.

As an amateur athlete, Bill pitched and played center field for the Cooperstown Indians, was an avid bowler into his eighties and was a member at the Leatherstocking Golf Course for decades.   He was a skilled woodworker and master gardener who enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labors with family, friends and neighbors.

Bill was a communicant of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church and past president of St. Mary’s Holy Name Society.

Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ellen M. Armstrong, of Cooperstown: their children, Mark Armstrong and his wife, Mary, of Harrisville, N.H.,  Maureen A. Parsons of Endicott, Andrew T. Armstrong of Allendale, N.J., Abigail M. Armstrong and her husband, Peter J. Farmer, of Lancaster, Mass., Erin A. Cullings and her husband, Ned, of Castleton, and Mary Ann Armstrong and her partner, Angelika von Wahl, of Easton, Pa.; eight grandchildren, John Parsons  (Alysen), Megan Mercy (Brian), James Parsons (Jill), Emily, Bridget and Natalie Cullings, and Brian and Kevin Farmer; and four great grandchildren, Ella Parsons, Ronan Mercy and twins Cooper and Carter Parsons. He is further survived by one brother, Tom Armstrong and his wife, Lillian, of Springfield; three sisters-in-law, Virginia Armstrong and Jeanette Armstrong, both of Springfield Center, and Sheila Armstrong of Rome; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Peter G. Armstrong: three brothers, Eneas, Vincent and Clarence, and one sister, Marian. Calling hours are 10 a.m.-noon, Monday, June 23, in St. Mary’s sanctuary.  The funeral mass will be a noon, with Father John P. Rosson, pastor, officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Index, with military honors accorded by members of the Cooperstown VFW and Legion Posts and the state Military Forces Honor Guard.

As an alternative to flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Cooperstown Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Cooperstown, NY  13326.

Arrangements are entrusted to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.