Obituary of William E. Tompkins

Mr. William E. Tompkins, 71, of St. Johnsville, New York died Thursday, December 19, 2013 at St. Mary's Healthcare of Amsterdam. Born on December 17, 1942 in the Bronx, NY, he was the son of Clarence E. Tompkins and Regina M. Downing Tompkins. He attended Canajoharie High School and had been a resident of St. Johnsville since 1988, previously residing in Fort Plain and Florida. Mr. Tompkins was employed with Kasson & Keller in Fonda for many years, retiring in 1996. He was a communicant of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Fort Plain. Mr. Tompkins was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming, camping and hiking. On December 23, 1962 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fort Plain, William was married to Diane T. Dingman. Together they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Monday would have been their 51st anniversary. Mr. Tompkins was predeceased by his grandson, Christopher Thomas Tompkins on July 25, 1993 and his brother, Edward C. Tompkins, Jr.. He is survived by his wife, Diane T. Tompkins of St. Johnsville, NY; sons, Silas E. Tompkins of St. Johnsville, NY, William P. Tompkins and Julie of Fort Plain, NY; daughter, Teonna Marie Tompkins of Liverpool, NY; 2 brothers, Thomas P. Tompkins of Johnstown, NY, James A. Tompkins of Canajoharie, NY; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A prayer service will be held Monday, December 23, 2013 at 9:15am at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY with the celebration of the Mass of Christian burial following at 10:00am at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY with Father Dennis Murphy officiating. The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, December 22, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00pm the funeral home. Burial will take place in Fort Plain Cemetery in the Spring. Contributions in memory of Mr. William E. Tompkins may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, NY 12211 or to the American Heart Association, PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.