RICHFIELD SPRINGS - William R. Sheldon, age 80, of US Highway # 20, passed away on Wednesday evening February 15, 2012 in Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown.He had the comfort of his loving family at his side. He was born on August 27, 1931, in Richfield Springs, son of the late Leland E. and Elda Armstrong Sheldon.A lifelong area resident he was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School. Mr. Sheldon was a Korean War veteran serving with the US Air Force.He entered in July of 1951, had served overseas and was honorably discharged in July of 1955 attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant.For many years Bill worked as a meat cutter for the Big M Store in Ilion, retiring in 1995. On February 14, 1991 he was united in marriage with the former Sharleen Moore in Cherry Valley.They have made their residence in Richfield Springs since 1993 coming from Cherry Valley. Bill had a strong love for the outdoors; he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.In his leisure time at home, during the good weather you could always find him riding his lawn mower and during the fall and winter months following the Syracuse Orange Football and Basketball games. Mr. Sheldon will always be remembered sincere and hardworking man. Any conversation with him was straight and to the point but you always felt a warmth and friendship whenever you were with him.He will be greatly missed by his many friends and family. Surviving are his devoted wife of twenty-one years Sharleen, three sons, James Sheldon of Oneonta, Thomas Sheldon and his wife Laurie of Raleigh, NC, and Richard Sheldon and his wife Norma of Fonda, one step-son, Raymond Freer and his wife Laura of Cherry Valley, two step-daughters and their husbands, Renee and Pastor Terry Brant of South Valley, Rachael and Jay Hinkle of Canajoharie, one sister, Valnette Rossi and her husband Tony of Schenectady, four grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a son, John Sheldon and two brothers, Edward and Henry Sheldon. A graveside funeral service with military honors will be conducted later this spring in Springfield Center Cemetery with Pastor Terry Brant of the First Christian Church of South Valley officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad, PO Box 1456, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Funeral arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, Richfield Springs.