RICHFIELD SPRINGS - William Steckler, age 86, of Monticello Street, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, May 7, 2007, in Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. He had the comfort of his loving family at his side.He was born on August 10, 1920 in Brooklyn, son of the late Victor and Mary Papach Steckler. As a young boy he and his family moved to the town of Warren, where they owned and operated their dairy farm. He was educated in VanHornesville and graduated with the Class of 1942. Upon completion of high school and in the midst of World War II, he answered the call of his country and enlisted in the US Navy. He was honorably discharged that same year in order to return home to take care of the family farm. On November 25, 1955 he was united in marriage with the former Barbara Joslyn in Saint John's Episcopal Church, Richfield Springs, and have made their home in Richfield Springs since. For twenty-nine years he was employed by the I.L. Richer Company, retiring as manager of the Richfield Springs facility. Bill's passion was high school athletics. For over forty years he distinguished himself as a New York State High School Wrestling official. He had a strong belief in God and was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer. Bill was especially fond of the community that worshipped there. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his many friends and family. But most importantly, he spent his adult life providing for and insuring the comfort of his family. Surviving him are his wife of fifty-one years, Barbara; a daughter, Patricia and her husband, Gregory Soule of Clinton; a son, Richard Steckler and his companion, Laura Nelson of Topsham, VT; one cherished granddaughter, Joslyn Soule; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents; he was preceded in death by three brothers, Nicholas, Steven and Harry Steckler; five sisters, Anne Hanrahan, Annette Patnaude, Olga Androwski, Nancy Walkoff and Helene Steckler. Funeral from J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs, on Friday at 10:15 a.m. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer. The Very Reverend James Jadick will officiate. Interment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery, Richfield Springs. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Parastas will be observed Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church or the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home