William Buckholtz

Age 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2016. Bill was born in Elmira, the son of William and Mary (Cherkis) Buckholtz. He is predeceased by his daughters, Cindy and Colleen. Bill is survived by his wife, Constance "Connie" Lewis Buckholtz, with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage on June 25; son, Scott W. Buckholtz of Elmira, with Stacie Armstrong; daughter, Gail A. Hamblin and husband Michael; grandchildren, Jessica Buckholtz, Jamie (Brenden) Scanlan, Benjamin and Amanda Hamblin; great-grandchildren, Debron Lee, Charlee and Andy Scanlan; brother Eugene Buckholtz of Erin, with Ann Madison; brother-in-law, Robert "Bucky" Lewis of Elmira; sister-in-law, Betty Lewis of Horseheads; along with several nieces and nephews. Bill was a graduate of Elmira Free Academy, Class of 1951, where he was inducted in the EFA Sports Hall of Fame. He served in the U S Army during the Korean War. He remained in the USA, worked as a mechanic and was a part of the Army basketball team. Bill worked as a pattern maker at General Electric for 38 years until the plant closed. He then continued his career at Southern Tier Pattern, retiring at the age of 72. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman passing his passion for both onto his son. He and Connie loved horseracing, enjoying frequent trips to racetracks in Canandaigua and Saratoga and were lucky enough to attend several Triple Crown races. Anyone who knew Bill, knows he would have never missed a Friday evening, where he and Connie could be found enjoying company and laughing with family and many, many friends. There were great memories made in Chuck Clark's, Mandell's, Patrick's and Horigan's. Bill always had a full-of-life attitude and enjoyed entertaining friends either at his house, Buckholtz's "hunting camp" and enjoyed the company of his buddies at OTB. Bill will always be remembered by his faith and joy that he spread to those around him; but most of all, the love he shared with his life-long soulmate and best friend, his wife Connie. Following a private family viewing, a Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, July 11, 2016, 11:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Committal prayers and military honors will follow at St. Peter and Paul's Cemetery.