ST. JOHNSVILLE – Mr. William F. Finch, Sr., 82, of Kringsbush Road entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Little Falls Hospital with his family at his side. Bill was born in Little Falls on April 10, 1927, the son of the late Fred N. and Edna (Mang) Finch. He graduated from St. Johnsville Central School and went on to attend and graduate from the State University of New York at Cobleskill. He was united in marriage in 1953 to Evelyn Herthum in Utica, NY and was predeceased by her in 1964. In 1969, he married Mary (Smith) Finch in Milford, NY. Bill spent 37 years as a Dairy Products Inspector for the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, retiring in 1989. He also spent his entire life maintaining the Finch family farm where he raised heifers and produced and sold hay. Although he spent many years as an employee of New York State, his life’s passion and love was on the farm working beside, at first, his sons and sons-in laws, and most recently, with his grandsons. He was able to pass along his love of the outdoors and working the land as well as his belief in the value of hard work and enjoyment of life. Most of all, we remember Bill as someone who loved to have fun and share that fun and zest for life with all family and friends. Bill was very active in various community and social organizations, including the St. Johnsville Masonic Lodge #611 where he was bestowed the Distinguished Service Award. Bill passionately served as a member of the Masonic Brotherhood for well over 50 years. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and the Ziyara Shriners of Utica, NY. He served as President of the Valley Shrine Club for many years. He served for over 35 years on school boards of the Milford Central School and the St. Johnsville Central School where he served as president for a majority of that time. He also served on the board of the Fulton-Hamilton-Montgomery Board of Cooperative Services. Some of Bill’s hobbies were collecting milk bottles and playing the clarinet in the Cooperstown and Dolgeville Community Bands. He loved a variety of musical styles but he particularly enjoyed marching band music. He was an avid supporter of the St. Johnsville School music department and contributed many musical instruments for student’s use. He was very active as a Methodist Church member serving in various leadership capacities, most recently as a member of the St. Johnsville United Methodist Church. He was also active on the Montgomery County Farm Bureau where he was engaged in the recruitment of new members. Most recently, Bill received recognition for his many years of dedicated service to the organization. Bill will always be remembered as a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. Survivors include his wife, Mary; his daughters, Kathy Pechan and husband, Mick of Oxford, Ohio; Lisa Liddle and husband, Jim, of Sprakers, NY; sons William Finch, Jr. and wife, Mary, of Fort Johnson, NY and David Finch and wife, Margaret of Greenville, NY. He very much enjoyed the company of his 10 grandchildren and followed their many sports, academic and music activities on a regular basis, always interested in their personal growth and enjoyment. Bill’s grandchildren include Sarah and Hannah Pechan; Jessica Pechan and her husband, Cory Keeton; Jeffrey and Emilie Liddle; Lindsay DiMaso and her husband, Ryan; Katie and William Finch III; Jacob and Lauren Finch; a brother, Jim Finch and his wife, Jean, of Sanford, North Carolina and a sister, Jane Mills and her husband, John, of Indiana, PA. His family was complete with the addition of many cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his son, John, in 1964. The family will be welcoming relatives and friends to celebrate Bill’s life at calling hours from 2-4 and 7-9 on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center Street, St. Johnsville, NY. A Masonic service will be performed during the evening viewing. A funeral service and Christian burial will be held at 10:00AM Monday, November 2, 2009 at the United Methodist Church, Main Street, St. Johnsville, NY. Procession will follow to St. Johnsville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Johnsville Masonic Lodge #611.