William L. Betts

William Lawrence Betts, 88 of Earlville passed away on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. Born November 2, 1936 in Utica, to Lawrence E. and Thelma (Roberts) Betts. He graduated from Hamilton High School in 1954 and Syracuse University College of Forestry in 1958. He married Cynthia Coe on April 26, 1958; a loving union of over 67 years. He served in the US Army active duty from 1958 until 1960 at which time he continued his distinguished military career in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel in 1988. Throughout his military career Bill was the commander of both the Binghamton Army Reserve Base and Elihu Root US Army Reserve base in Utica. Bill was selected to attend the USAIMA School of International Studies at Fort Bragg in 1979 where he graduated with distinction. Bill worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a Senior Forester in Sherburne until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his adult life Bill loved hunting, surf fishing in the Outer Banks, forestry, and caring for his Polled Herefords on his beloved Passing Wind Farm in Earlville. He was a member and past President of the New York Hereford Breeders Association and on the board for the Junior Livestock Show in Cooperstown, NY. Bill also served on several community advisory boards including DCMO BOCES in Norwich, NY and Chenango County Soil and Water. Bill will be remembered as a loving and involved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bill never missed a sports game, dance recital, livestock show or graduation and seized every opportunity to support his family. He instilled his drive and hard work ethic in each of his children and all of his grandchildren. Bill spent his final weeks reminiscing about memories of all of his family members and sharing how proud he was of each of his children, grandchildren, their spouses & his great grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his son and daughter-in-law Scott and Yvonne Betts of Hamilton; daughter and son-in-law Susan and Tim Trueworthy of Hamilton; grandchildren, Tyler (Cassie Waltz) Betts of Eaton, Justin (Katy) Betts also of Eaton, Courtney (Evan) Mrozek of Homer and Laura Trueworthy of Nashville, TN; great-granddaughters Lola and Nora Betts (Justin and Katy) of Eaton and Delilah Betts (Tyler and Cassie) of Eaton. Service and interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Hamilton will be private at the convenience of the family. Contributions in his memory may be made to the New York Hereford Breeders Association, 2405 Limerick Rd., Linwood, NY 14486 or to Community Memorial Hospital Foundation, 150 Broad St., Hamilton, NY 13346 Arrangements are in the care of the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville, NY 13332. To leave a condolence or sign the book of memories online, go to: www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William, please visit our Tree Store.