Obituary of William H Wakefield

Given life some 80 years ago, Bill fell into the loving arms of his mother and father, William, and Eleanor Wakefield, who praised God for the gift of a son. From the moment he drew his first breath, he was well loved and cherished. In his early years his parents devotedly brought him to church, led him in his prayers and watched him grow in faith. As God intended, his life was blessed. Bill was thoughtful, hardworking, a railroad aficionado and lived life with kindness, decency, integrity, and good cheer. Unfailingly productive and perennially up-beat Bill was known as a man of integrity, a generous and true gentleman. Bill received both his undergraduate degree and graduate degree from Cornell University and accepted a teaching position with Saratoga BOCES in the field of agriculture. Later he joined the State Education Department serving across New York State in a supervisory role. Bill's Christian faith held a prominent role in his life. Beyond his church affiliation at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church, he served many years as a witnessing servant distributing God's Word in the Gideon International Ministry. In 1967 he married his wife Barbara (King) and together they made their home in the rural hamlet of Bacon Hill for over 50 years. Later they were joined by a daughter, Rebecca and as the family grew, they were blessed with 3 grandchildren, Alexis, Alyshia, Aaron, and their families. Bill is survived by his loving wife Barbara, his daughter Rebecca Leverette and family, his siblings Hedy Schelling and Richard (Amy) Wakefield and their families and a sister-in-law Carolyn King. His loving nephews David, Larry, Jan and Jeff King and their spouses were a great source of strength and comfort as his needs increased. The Lord generously blessed this family with Bill, so 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139; 12) and we are grateful he was the head of our household. A funeral service honoring his Christian faith, his belief Jesus is Lord and Savior and The Word as his foundation for life, will be celebrated at the Bacon Hill Reformed Church, 560 NY-32, Schuylerville, NY, 12871, under the direction and care of Flynn Bros. Inc. on Tuesday, May 31 at 2:00 pm. Burial will follow his service in the Bacon Hill Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 12:30 to 2pm at the church prior to his funeral service. Remembrances can be directed to The Bacon Hill Reformed Church, or Gideons International, Saratoga Camp, PO Box 1106, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online condolences and messages to the family may be made at www.flynnbrosinc.com.