William Spaulding â??Bill�? Ramsdel

Age 72 of Elmira, NY passed away Friday, April 25, 2003 at home very unexpectedly.He was born August 1, 1930, in Corning, NY.He was the son of Jay Henry and Lulu May (Spaulding) Ramsdell.He was predeceased by his parents, two infant daughters Cynthia Louise and Priscilla Ann, two brothers, Clarence and Earl Ramsdell and two sisters Mildred Ramsdell and Ruth Vogel.He is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Barbara (Sekella) Ramsdell, his daughter Stephanie (Lyman) Wage of Waverly, his son Stephen (Kelli) Ramsdell of Elmira and four grandchildren, Andrea Ramsdell, Diana Wage, Loren Wage and Stephen Wage, a niece Michele Andrus of Elmira and Shirley Hribik of Pennsylvania, a number of cousins and a host of friends. He lived at various addresses in Corning, Painted Post and Savona, NY before coming to Elmira at age twelve.The Corning years were during the depression when they would be kicked out of houses because they couldn?t pay the rent.While the family was looking for another place to live, they put ?little Billy? in a Corning movie house to act as his babysitter.His love of old ?Classic? movies continued throughout his life.He was a walking movie encyclopedia of movie trivia.He could name the film, the year it was made and who was in it.He settled many debates. He attended local schools and graduated from Elmira Free Academy, on Lake Street in 1948. He got a job at Chemung Canal Trust Company in July 1948 in the mailroom based on a recommendation from his guidance counselor.Chemung Canal needed a reliable man.Bill?s attendance was perfect ? never late, seldom absent from school.He didn?t need to fill out a job application or go to an interview.Thus began Bill?s long illustrious 45 1/2 year career at Chemung Canal Trust Company.In 1951 Bill received a letter of Greeting from his Uncle Sam and was stationed for eighteen months in Salzburg, Austria, during the Korean Conflict.He was in Military Intelligence during the cold war.He developed his love for traveling and used his leave time to take trips to Vienna, Paris and Italy.Upon completion of his tour of duty, with an honorable discharge, he resumed his job at Chemung Canal Trust Company.In July 1953 Bill met the woman who would be the love of his life at the Westside Branch of CCTC, Barbara Sekella.Barb and Bill dated for six months and then were engaged.Bill told Barb that marriage would have to wait until his car was paid for.A true banker!Bill and Barb were married on September 2, 1955 at First Baptist Church in Elmira.In November of 1956 they were blessed with a daughter, Stephanie Lynn.When they brought her home from the hospital, Bill played an opera for his daughter, but since the end was too sad, he didn?t play that part.In February of 1958 they had a son, Stephen William.Later on to their great sorrow, they lost two infant daughters. In 1960 they were able to build their beautiful home up on the hill over looking the Chemung Valley. Bill furthered his education by taking night classes at Elmira College while working full time at CCTC and a couple other part time jobs.He received his Associates degree in Business Admin. in 1965.Also for three years he took summer classes at the School of Consumer Banking at the University of Virginia.He took his wife back to his beloved Salzburg to share it with her for their 25th wedding anniversary. Each time they took a trip to Europe, they spend time in Salzburgand had hoped to make one more trip to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.His career at CCTC started in the mailroom in 1948 with his last position being Vice-President in charge of Loan Review and Compliance when he retired in December of 1993.His friendship with his bank colleagues continued with monthly luncheons with the ?Jolly Boys?, a group of retired and active Chemung Canal bankers.Bill was well known for his sense of humor, which sometimes got him into trouble.That sense of humor lightened up more than one meeting whether it was at the bank or church.Bill was involved with many volunteer organizations in his community, such as Elmira Jaycees where he was Treasurer and President and ?Young Man of the Year, 1967?; Chamber of Commerce, Workers Ownership Resource Center, Meals on Wheels, Council of Churches of Chemung County and the John W. Jones Museum. He was a fifty-year member of his church, First Baptist Church of Elmira, where he held many offices and served on many committees.He was a member of the Chancel Choir for many years and loved music. Bill deeply loved his family, his church and his community.He will be missed by all.Friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira, NY on Monday, April 28, 2003 from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM.Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Elmira, 121 W. Church St., Elmira, NY 14901 on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at 11 AM with the Rev. Dennis Christiansen officiating.Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Elmira, the John W. Jones Museum, PO Box 932, Elmira, NY 14902, or the charity of your choice in Bill?s name.Those wishing may leave a ?Candle of Remembrance? for the family at www.olthof.com.