STARKVILLE Paul W. Bannister, Sr., age 72 of State Highway 80 passed away peacefully on Sunday Morning, November 5, 2017 in Little Falls Hospital. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born December 14, 1944 in Batavia a son of the late Leland and Lola Suttell Bannister, he was raised and educated in the Batavia area. In 1962 Paul joined the United States Navy, he was stationed on the USS Mountrail. He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and Moody Bible Institute obtaining Associates Degrees at both schools. On April 7, 1981 he married the former Sally A. Fitzgerald in Tolland, Connecticut. In 1982 they moved to Starkville. Paul was a Mason by trade and worked for Union Local No. 2 in Albany. Later in his career Paul worked with his Ministry, counseling at The Utica Rescue Mission, doing what he did best helping others. In his spare time Paul enjoyed his Chevy Corvette and most of all being with his family. He was a friend to many will never be forgotten. Surviving him are his wife of thirty five years Sally, three sons; Paul W. Bannister, Jr. and his wife Shannon of Utica, W. Trenton Bannister and his wife Tonya of Rochester, Joshua P. Bannister of Little Falls, four daughters; Julianne Fedorjaka and her husband Fred of Penfield, Krista Bailey and her husband PJ of North Carolina, Heidi Smith and her husband Bill of North Carolina and Sarah Anne Edwards and her husband Aaron of Wasilla, AK, one brother Leland Bannister and his wife Irma of Texas, twenty one grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephew and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Michael Bannister. A funeral service for Mr. Bannister will take place on Thursday at 1:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs with the Reverend Alan Miller to officiate. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Lakeview Cemetery. The Family will be present to receive relatives and friends in the funeral home on Thursday two hours prior to the funeral service (11:00am-1:00pm). Expressions of sympathy may be in memorial donations to the Utica Rescue Mission envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Calling Hours J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Thursday, November 9, 2017 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439 Funeral Service J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Thursday, November 9, 2017 01:00 PM 40 West James Street Richfield Springs, NY 13439