Obituary of Lawrence Wilson

Lawrence (Larry) D. Wilson, 84, 155 Riverside Drive, Sidney, NY, died at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at Wilson Medical Center, Johnson City, NY. He was born April 5, 1932, in Stirling, NJ, the third son of Marie and Clair Wilson. In 1948 his family moved to Sidney, NY, where he went to work for the Egli Machine Company, as a mechanic from 1949 to 1952. He joined the U.S. Army on July 10, 1952, during the Korean War, and served with the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Dix, NJ and the Engineers School at Fort Belvoir, VA. After serving two years, he was honorably separated on July 9, 1954, returning to Mount Upton, NY. Upon returning to New York, he worked in construction and helped build the Sidney High School. In 1957 he started working at Scintilla, (later Bendix and still later, Allied Corporation), in a variety of manufacturing related assignments but for most of his career in the Tool Room as a moldmaker, and retired from Amphenol Aerospace in 1994. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. He was a member of the American Legion Post 183. In June of 1970 Larry joined the Sidney Fire Department and proudly served with the Phelps Hose Co. No. 1 for many years. Larry enjoyed spending time at any family event he could, from his daughters' sporting events and art shows, to his granddaughter's music and theater performances. He was an avid sportsman, hunting in younger years, participating in golf leagues and watching and discussing as many games on television as he could, be it baseball, football, golf, car racing, basketball or the Olympics. Surviving are two daughters, Lori L. Wilson of New Berlin, NY, Andrea D. Wilson (husband Andy) of Lexington Park, MD; two step-sons, George Hinkley (wife Nancy), of Bainbridge, NY, and Mike Hinkley of Treadwell, NY; 5 grand-children, Grace Olivia and Clara Rose Wilson, Lexington Park, MD, Rebecca A. Hinkley, Colorado, Elizabeth R. Hinkley, Rochester, NY, and Rachel J. Hinkley, Bainbridge, NY; and one brother, Edwin Wilson (wife Delores) of Sidney. He was predeceased by one brother, Bernard (Danny) Wilson, and former wife Nancy Ann Williams (Pratt). He is also survived by his good friend Etta Smith of Sidney, NY, and all his fellow volunteer firemen of Sidney Volunteer Fire Department. To say that Larry had a creative engineering mind-set, and could fix most anything would be an understatement. Whether the project revolved around something mechanical, or a creative way to build a wall (bricks / tires), or heat a home or pool, he would think of a way to do it. He was always ready to lend a hand in his family's home and automobile projects. For the last year, Larry had lived with his daughter Andrea and her family in Southern Maryland. He enjoyed and was a welcomed community member at various senior activity centers and was fondly thought of by the members of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, and the entire staff and doctors at the Veteran's Affairs medical center. Whether he was attending a rehabilitation session, luncheon, picnic, or swimming or walking, each time he met others, he spread his cheerful and friendly spirit around. He enjoyed a good conversation about the Armed Forces, especially being an Army man in a Navy community, and always had fun talking about the Yankees or the Giants, depending on what hat he was wearing at the time. Visitation will be on Friday, June 23rd at the Phelps Hose Fire House in Sidney, NY from 10 – 11 am, a Fireman's Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 am and a burial service at the Prospect Hill Cemetery at 11:45 a.m, luncheon to follow at the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department from 12:30 – 2 pm. Memorial contributions in Larry's honor may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.