William E. Sherwood

William E. Sherwood

Richford - The family of William E. Sherwood is saddened to announce that Bill passed away on August 29, 2018, buy happy that he was at home surrounded by his family and his dog, just as he wished. Bill was born 71 years ago at home in Richford to Robert and Juanita Sherwood and except for a few years living in nearby Speedsville, he lived his whole life in Richford and loved every minute of it. He was the Town Historian and President of the Richford Historical Society. He was the founder of the Richford Potato Festival that will be held for the 26th year in two weeks and he was still working on an historical display just two days before he passed. Bill also loved to play horseshoes and was a member of the Caroline Valley Horseshoe League for decades. He wasn't able to pitch this year, but his team won the championship for him and presented him with the trophy last week at the league picnic. Playing country music was his joy. Bill spent every Wednesday night for over twenty-five years playing guitar at the nursing homes in the Ithaca area. He had so many musician friends that joined him over the years as Bill Sherwood and the Sunshine Gang. He was able to join many of them at the Busy Bird Bluegrass Festival this year with his best friend Adam Gwardyak encouraging him every step of the way. Bill graduated from Newark Valley High School and retired from Cornell University Plantations Botanical Gardens where his stone wall laying and landscape construction is everywhere one looks. He had so many talents and volunteered for so many organizations, but his truest passion was for his family. Bill was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Juanita, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Paul and Vera Gardner, his brother-in-law Chuck Zukowski, and his sisters-in-law Alberta Clark and Doris Gardner. Bill and his wife Midge (Millie) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. They are the proud parents of Kellie Campbell, Bobbi-Jo Latimer (Ted) and Tammy Sherwood. Bill adored his grandsons Jack Sherwood, Jacob Frost (Alicia) and Sean Campbell. His dog Tri-pod was his constant companion. Bill is also survived by his sisters Gloria Zukowski, Sharon Neiss (Chuck), his brothers Robert Sherwood Jr, Joel Sherwood (Julia), and many nieces and nephews. He was truly a good man who lived by the golden rule and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His family will receive friends from 5-8 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley. A Funeral Service and Celebration of His Life will be held there at 11 am on Wednesday. The family wishes to thank Lourdes Hospice for all their kindness and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the Richford Historical Society in Loving Memory of William Sherwood. Memories may also be written in his guestbook at macphersonfh.com