Graveside services for William H. Hosmer, of Madrid will be held in the spring at Madrid Cemetery. There will be no calling hours.
William passed away on Thursday, February 24, at United Helpers Nursing Home in Ogdensburg. William is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy at United Helpers Adult Home in Ogdensburg; son Dr. Dale Hosmer and wife Robin of Ogdensburg; a daughter, Kathy Cauraugh and her husband Dr. James of Gainesville, FL; a sister, Barbara Scott of Gouverneur. He has five grandchildren, Bill, Matthew and Sydney Hosmer, of Ogdensburg, Daniel Hosmer of Albany and Kirstin (Dale) Youmans of Gainesville, FL. He was predeceased by a son, William Jr. in 1966; a brother and three sisters.
William was born March 18, 1925, the son of Floyd and Pauline Hosmer. Upon graduation from Edwards High School in 1943 William joined the Air Force where he became a ball turret machine gunner on a B-17 bomber during WWII. He survived 30 missions over Germany and the Balkans and received many medals, including the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in action and a Purple Heart, being wounded when his plane was shot down on the Adriatic Sea.
He married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jean Duchono in Edwards on December 31, 1944. After the war, William graduated from Clarkson College with a degree in business. After a brief stint with the Remington-Road Corporation, they moved to Madrid, where William taught high school for 30 years.
He was the Madrid Town Justice for many years, a long time scout master and leader, receiving the Silver Beaver Award, one of scouting’s highest honors in 1968. He was a past member of Madrid Fire Department, the Masons, the American Legion and the Untied Methodist Church in Madrid.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #1513 Madrid. Arrangements are under the direction of the Phillips Memorial Home, 20 Church St. Madrid.
Online condolences may be made at www.phillipsmemorial.com.
