William H. Taft

WEST LEYDEN - William H. Taft, 81, of Kirk Road, husband of Carol, passed away while surrounded by the love of his wife and children, at Wynn Hospital, Utica, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Affectionately known as Bill, he was born in Lowville on September 17, 1942, a son of William H. and Mary L. Bush Taft. Bill graduated from Boonville Central School with the Class of 1962. On August 30, 1962, he entered the service of his country, serving in the U.S. Navy as a radioman onboard the USS Hopewell during the Vietnam War. On September 21, 1966, Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy, earning the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, and a Good Conduct Medal. Thereafter, Bill served in the U.S. Navy Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1968.

In the fall of 1966, Bill returned to Boonville and worked at Williamson's Foodland as the produce manager, for which he won several awards for his department. Beginning in September 1973, Bill was employed at Ethan Allen Furniture Company, Boonville. After 30 years of service, he retired in 2003. During his many years of employment at Ethan Allen, he was a foreman and department leader.

On June 28, 1975, Bill was united in marriage with Carol A. Provost at the Boonville United Methodist Church. In 1976, the couple settled on Kirk Road in West Leyden, where they raised four amazing children.

Bill greatly enjoyed collecting baseball cards, bowling, fishing on the Black River, playing video games, watching TV, listening to music, playing mini golf, playing cards, Yahtzee, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. He was famously known to host Golden Oldies music parties with his children on Tuesday nights while Carol was out bowling. He also enjoyed an occasional trip with his family at the Turning Stone Casino.

Family was the most important thing in Bill's life. He is survived by his loving wife Carol of 49 years; son Benjamin Taft (Tanya), Boonville; daughter Erin Burns (Bill), Woodgate, NY; daughter Adrianne Taft (Kyle), Old Forge; son Adam Taft (Amie) Westminister, CO; grandsons Dylan and Ethan Burns, and step-grandchildren Blake, Kadin and Pyper Baslow.

Visitation hours are Wednesday, March 20, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. At 7 p.m., Military Rites will be rendered by the Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW, and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville, to be followed by a celebration of his life service conducted by Rev. William A. Mudge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the West Leyden Ambulance Fund, PO Box 205, West Leyden, NY 13489.

For an on-line message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.