LEONARDSVILLE – William R. Coughlin, 61, of Leonardsville, passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2007, at his home.
He was born on October 30, 1945 in Norwich, a son of Marcia (Hill) Coughlin and the late William Ward Coughlin. He was a graduate of Troy State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance. William was a United States career Army Veteran serving from 1966 during the Vietnam War until his retirement in 1989. During his career he received many medals and awards, among them were: The Meritorious Service Medal with one oak cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze Stars, Army Superior Unit Award, National Service Defense Medal, The Presidential Unit Citation, and the Army Commendation Medal.
On Oct. 12, 1968 in Morris, he married Dorothy Rose, a blessed union of over 38 years. After his retirement from the Army, Mr. Coughlin was employed with the New York Central Mutual Insurance Co. in the Special Investigations Unit, retiring in 2000 due to his illness. He was a member of the Sangerfield American Legion Clifford J. Fulmer Post #92, the Norwich VFW #2278 and the Masonic Red Lodge in Dothan, Alabama.
Family was very important to him. He loved his time with his wife and children, especially at Christmas when the whole family gathered at his home each year. He was a patriotic man who loved his country and served it with much pride. His chicken barbecues at the American Legion were something that he enjoyed. He will always be remembered by his family and friends as the man who could build or fix just about anything. His greatest accomplishment was the children that he and Dorothy raised together and the values he instilled in each of them. He enjoyed spending time with his loving family and his cherished grandchildren most of all.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, twin sons, Peter Coughlin and his wife, Shelley of Sauquoit, Paul Coughline and his wife, Leslie also of Sauquoit, Dorothy Armstrong and her husband, Lee of Richfield Springs, Jennifer Wool and her husband, David of Unadilla Forks and William Coughlin Jr. and his wife, Shari of South New Berlin; his grandchildren, Jimmy, Taylor, Tyler, Megan, Lexus, Megan, Delaney, Hailey, Thomas and William III; his brothers, Donald Coughlin and his wife, Ellen of Sherburne, Duane Coughlin and his wife, Julie also of Sherburne, Jesse Miller and his wife, Dixie of Hopkinsville, KY; and a sister, Penny Dewey of Brewerton, WA. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Coughlin.
The family wishes to sincerely thank the Brookfield and West Winfield Fire Departments for their many acts of kindness. Special thanks to Peter Owens and Buzz Osborn for their compassion and understanding.
Funeral Services with full Military Honors will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home, 365 West Main St., West Winfield with the Rev. Richard Tulip officiating. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Unadilla Forks Cemetery in the spring.
Please consider donations to Brookfield and West Winfield Fire Departments in his memory. For online expressions of sympathy, go to www.dimbleby friedelfuneralhomes.com.