William Melvin Lamphere, 82 a long time Fort Plain resident, passed away on Saturday January 29, 2005 at the Albany Veteran?s Hospital. He was born April 13, 1922 in the Town of Manheim the son of the late Morris & Helen (LaLone) Lamphere. Bill was a graduate of Stratford High School and attended the Crane School of Music, prior to being drafted. He entered the US Army on October 22, 1942 and was assigned to Company C, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, 9th AD. Mr. Lamphere was awarded a Purple Heart and Oak Leaf Cluster for action seen at the Battle of the Bulge, and during the crossing of the Rhine River at Remagen. He also received a Bronze Star, Silver Star and a Combat Infantry Badge. Upon his discharge in 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant, he began a long and illustrious career with the Freebaer Farms in Fort Plain and Palatine Bridge as a well-known cattle breeder and herdsman. In 2003 his lifetime accomplishments were recognized when he was awarded the ?Unsung Hero Award? by the OHM Holstein Club. Upon retiring from active farming, Bill served as a court attendant at the Montgomery County Courthouse, where he enjoyed the friendship and esteem of many people. Mr. Lamphere was well known throughout the Mohawk Valley for his fine singing and lay ministry work. He was a member of the Fort Plain Reformed Church and was a founding member, trustee and president of the Stone Arabia Preservation Society. He recently saw the publication of his children?s story ?Timmy Teeter?s Christmas Caper?. Mr. Lamphere married the former Ruth Nellis on March 31, 1944. The couple shared a blessed union of 56 years until the passing of Mrs. Lamphere on July 6, 2000. During the marriage the couple had 4 children; his daughters, Pamela Lamphere and her companion Douglas Stowell of Oppenheim, Bille Sue Gushue and her companion David Ackernecht of Gloversville, Dawn Capece and husband Ronald of St. Johnsville, and a son, David Lamphere and wife Kathleen of Canajoharie. He was also the proud grandfather to Jodi Kilmer, Rebecca & Samantha Gushue, Davida Capece and James Lamphere and 3 great grandchildren; also surviving is a brother, Donald Lamphere of Palatine Bridge, and a sister Janet Lamphere of St. Johnsville. He was predeceased by a brother, Morris Lamphere, Jr., and a sister, Grace Sanders. Funeral services will be held on Thursday February 3, 2005 at 11:00 am from the Stone Arabia Stone Church with Reverend Nancy Ryan, officiating. Spring interment will be in West St. Johnsville Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 9 Center St., St. Johnsville on Wednesday February 2, 2005 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm. All memorial contributions may be made to the Stone Arabia Preservation Society or to the Fort Plain Reformed Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.