ONEONTA – William D. Stanley, 83, passed away August 19, 2015 with his family by his side at Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany.

Bill was born November 6, 1931 in Oneonta, the son of Joseph and Helen (Dawes) Stanley.

He married Ruth Graves on August 16, 1970 in West Oneonta.

Bill served his country from 1950 to 1953 during the Korean War in the United States Air Force, stationed in Iceland as a military police officer.

He was a barber for 17 years in his shop on Center Street and later on Main Street. He also cut hair in the evening in Schenevus and Davenport. He was a business owner having a tavern in the east end of Oneonta for 8 years called "The East End Tavern". He was an Iron worker, working for several companies all over New York State. He also ran a gravel bank on Hemlock Road for Jim Hurtubise. Bill was a hard worker even when he wasn't working at his jobs helping his sons fix up their homes and even helping them in the building of their homes. He also helped his friends with their projects. He was always helpful to everyone; even to strangers.

Bill lived in Oneonta his entire life. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church since he was born. He was a founding member of "The Gifford Hill Ponderosa Rod & Gun Club" in existence for 50 years. He had a traveling basketball league with members such as Garth Stam, a former soccer coach at SUCO and Nick Lambros, a staple at Hartwick College and others. He was in the Oneonta Softball league for years. He bowled in the Leagues in Oneonta. Bill was president of the Oneonta Pool league and captain of his team for many years.

He was a fisherman that took him to many streams locally and to the counties of Cayuga, Delaware, Oswego and to Canada to fish. He also spearheaded building a camp in the town of Sandy Creek, NY with his boys, his friends and friends of his boys. That gave him and others years of salmon and steelhead fishing which everyone enjoyed and will continue too enjoy now and in the future. He took many friends of his and his boys fishing and taught them how to fish. He was a deer hunter, a trapper, a turkey hunter, a rabbit hunter, a raccoon hunter and also brought home his share of geese. He was always a teacher and mentor to whoever he would come in contact with.

Bill and his wife, Ruth traveled all over the United States 3 times, visiting family and friends and taking in the sites which they enjoyed very much. Bill worked hard and played hard! He enjoyed an event every summer for the last 30 years, the Stanley Family Reunion, which he helped organized with his sisters and brothers. I brought him joy and joy to all who attended.

These last ten years he especially enjoyed driving his Cub Cadet to the pond to feed the fish for all to see, especially the grand kids and great grand kids. He loved watching them catch frogs, tad poles, salamanders and minnows. He loved his family and was at his proudest talking about all his children. One would say he was an "Artist of Life". We will all miss him. We love you Bill! Your family and friends. See you in Heaven!!!

Bill is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Jack and Joan, David and Susan, Joseph and Amy, William and Renee, Robert, Donald and Ananda, Stephen and Melissa; daughters, Marcia and Gary Borden, Linda and Bud Wells, Katie and Gary Luskevich, Jennifer and Tim Touhey, Anie, June and Pete Allen; brother, Jim Stanley; sisters, Mary Jane and Bob Kroder and Emmy Stanley; also 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; a grandson, Michael and a granddaughter, Jacqueline.

A funeral mass will be 10:15 am, Friday, September 4, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, with the Rev. David Wm. Mickiewicz, as celebrant. Military honors will be at the conclusion of mass.

Immediately following mass 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a visitation at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.

There will be no interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations in loving member to the Local Food Bank and Pantry, care of St. Mary's Church, 39 Walnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820; Meals on Wheels, Office for the Aging, Meadows Office Complex-Suite 5, 140 Co Hwy 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326; Hospice and Palliative Care Program, Albany VA Stratton Medical Center, 113 Holland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com