NORWICH – William James Fleming, 94, a long time Norwich area resident passed away Friday evening, May 20, 2011 at the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center in Norwich, where he has made his home for the past several years.
The son of Harry and Clara Finch Fleming, Bill was born Sept. 3, 1916 in Lebanon, and was the middle child of seven children. In his early years he worked with his dad on the family farm. On Dec. 12, 1940, he married Sarah A. Knapp. Following there marriage, Bill and Sarah moved to Norwich, where they made their home for many years. He had worked at the Maydole Hammer Factory and then purchased a small farm at Stewarts Corners. After a period of time Bill decided he wanted a larger farm which he purchased on Wells Road. Bill and Sarah operated the farm with their family until 1961. Bill also worked at GLA for a brief period of time and had also owned and operated McGarity’s Ice Cream Parlor. He eventually took employment with the Town of Norwich Highway Dept. and retired at the age of 65.
Bill’s family meant the world to him. Following his retirement they built a hunting cabin together where they enjoyed many great times. He also enjoyed camping, gardening and snowmobiling, but the best times of all were spent with his family.
Bill is survived by his children and their spouses: Barbara Maynard and husband Donald, Richard Fleming and wife Sharon, David Fleming and wife Lynne, Nancy White and husband Mason (Butch) and Beverly Cornell and husband Charlie all of Norwich, his sister Dorothy Morey of Earlville, his grandchildren and their spouses, Darlene and Robert Walling, Edward Maynard, Christopher and Tracy Maynard, Rick and Michelle Fleming all of Norwich, Thad Fleming of Syracuse, Brandy and Donald Badger, Chad Fleming, Sean, Chelsey and Luke White, Pamela Periard, Terri Ann Aikins, Lisa and Laverne Fitch and Susan and Kevin Kohhout. Several great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.
Bill was predeceased by his wife Sarah on March 12, 2008; his sisters Mildred Howlett and Marion Getman; his brothers John, Harold and Fred Fleming; and his granddaughter Tammy Periard.
Funeral services for Bill will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Jeremy Stopford will officiate. Interment will follow in the Norwich Quarter Cemetery on Wells Road.
Friends may call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from noon until the time of the service at 1 p.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Leatherstocking Region, Suite 2, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Bill’s family would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the staff at the Norwich Rehab and Nursing Center (Gilmour Health Care Facility) for the care given to him and his family over the past several years.