Obituary of Mr.. William H. Schaffer

Mr. William Harold "Bill" Schaffer, 84, of Seebers Lane, Canajoharie, New York died on Friday, October 10, 2014 at St. Johnsville Rehab & Nursing Center. Born on October 28, 1929 in Canajoharie, NY, he was the son of Roy and Irene DeNault Schaffer. He was a lifetime resident of Canajoharie, NY, having spent the past 61 years on Seebers Lane with his wife, Shirley. He was a graduate of the Erie Blvd. Canajoharie High School, Class of 1950. Bill was an outstanding athlete, excelling in Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball, baseball, football, soccer and track. Mr. Schaffer was employed for 42 years in the Maintenance Department of Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp., retiring in 1992. He was an Industrial Electrician, a Tool Crib Attendant and an Industrial Painter. Bill was inducted into the US Army in January 1951 and served in the 224th Regiment, Heavy Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 40th Infantry Division. He fought in the Korean War and was awarded the rank of Staff Sergeant while at the central front in the Kumwah Valley of South Korea. He served two years and was honorably discharged in November of 1952. Mr. Schaffer received the Army of Occupation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Overseas Bar, Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, and the United Nations Service Medal. While home on leave, Bill married Shirley Jean Vouga at the former St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Canajoharie on May 19, 1951. Mr. Schaffer was a member of St. John's & St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Canajoharie. He was a member of the Beech-Nut 25 Year Club. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Shirley. For many years they toured across the United States in their RV. They toured 13 European Countries, Mexico, Canada and Hawaii, cruised the Mediterranean and the Caribbean and spent many vacations at Daytona Beach and Virginia Beach with their two boys. Mr. Schaffer was predeceased by his parents and all 8 siblings, brothers, Robert Schaffer, Richard Schaffer, Roy Schaffer; sisters, Charlotte Benjamin, Virginia Friest, Ruth Chest, Rose Barber, Elizabeth Chellew. Bill was a good husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was always happy to have his family around him. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Schaffer of Canajoharie, NY; 2 sons, Kimberly Wm. Schaffer of St. Johnsville, NY, Stephen B. Schaffer of Canajoharie, NY; 4 grandsons, Ambrose C. Schaffer and wife, Leah of Canajoharie, NY, Christopher B. Schaffer and wife, Tara of Canajoharie, NY, Kainen A. Hernigle and his wife, Nicole of Fort Plain, NY, Bryce A. Schaffer of Poland, NY; 4 great-grandchildren, Aleah I. Schaffer, Paige M. Schaffer, Elijah Schaffer, Karson Aiden Hernigle all of Canajoharie, NY; nieces, Sylvia Becker and her husband, Donald, Mary Pastor; grandnephew, Stephen Becker; many other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 10:00AM at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY with Rev. Zachary Labagh officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 3:00-5:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery with full military honors. Contributions in memory of Mr. William H. Schaffer may be made to St. John's & St. Mark's Lutheran Church, PO Box 275, Canajoharie, NY 13317.