Obituary of William Arthur "Whiskey" Bashford, Sr.

Troy, NY- William A. Bashford, Sr., 89, of Troy, died on Monday, June 15, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Son of the late Stanley and Martha (Clapper) Bashford, Sr., William was born in Troy and was a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Troy High School. Following high school, William enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Yeoman on the USS Hoptree, which was a Net Tender. Following his honorable discharge, he found employment with Converse Bickford and worked there for over 30 years. He then went onto the Norton Company where he retired in 1984. Following his employment with the Norton Company, Bill was a part-time custodian with the Lansingburgh School District for 10 years. Bill was a member of the Veterans of Lansingburgh, known as "Whiskey", people would vacate their seats at the club to make room for him to sit down near the TV and reach for the remote. Bill was a faithful fan of: Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and scratch off tickets. He was an avid fan of the Mets and the NY Giants. William married the former Alice Golden in Grace Methodist Church on June 7, 1947. Together they shared a union of 51 years until her passing in 1998. Survivors include his children: Judith A. (Ed) Colwill of Troy, William (Penny) Bashford, Jr., of Troy, Daniel (Jackie) Bashford of North Port, FL, Robert (Juliet) Bashford of Wynantskill and David (Liliana) Bashford of Waterford, 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and parents, William was predeceased by a daughter, Denise Cross, a brother, Stanley Bashford, Jr., and a sister, Doris Neville. The funeral service will commence at 10am on Friday, June 19, from the Riverview Funeral Home, 218 2nd Avenue (corner of 104th Street) in Lansingburgh. Interment will follow in Elmwood Hill Cemetery, Troy. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4pm until 7pm on Thursday, June 18, at Riverview Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations in Bill's memory would be appreciated, and may be directed to: Van Rensselaer Manor Activities Dept., 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180. A special thanks to the staff of the C-1 unit at Van Rensselaer Manor for the love and care shown to Bill during his stay there. Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, June 18, 2015 Riverview Funeral Home 218 2nd Avenue Troy, New York, United States 12180 Funeral Service 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, June 19, 2015 Riverview Funeral Home 218 2nd Avenue Troy, New York, United States 12180 Interment 11:30 am - 12:00 pm Friday, June 19, 2015 Elmwood Hill Cemetery 51 Belle Avenue Troy, New York, United States 12180 Donations In lieu of flowers donations in Bill's memory would be appreciated, and may be directed to: Van Rensselaer Manor Activities Dept., 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180.