William "Bill" D. Whitney

William D. Whitney, 31, of Bath, died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday morning, October 4, 2006 in his home after a long battle with cancer. Bill was born on July 28, 1975 in Bath, NY to Robert and Denise (King) Whitney.

Bill is survived by his wife of nine years, Melissa (Seager), daughter Tanessa and son William Whitney, his parents, Robert and Denise (King) Whitney; two sisters, Christine Lucci and Katie Whitney; his grandmother Ruth King; along with many aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins and long time friends.

Bill was employed at I.D. Booth, Inc. in Bath as a sales representative for the finger lakes region.

As a graduate of Hammondsport High School in 1994, Bill was a contributing member of the Varsity Basketball, Baseball and Cross Country teams. Well respected by his high school peers he was voted Homecoming King his senior year.

Following graduation, Bill continued giving back to athletics through coaching. He had served as Junior Laker coach as well as the Hammondsport JV Basketball coach for the past six years. Even before both his son and daughter participated in the Hammondsport Little League he was a coach and continued to work with local ball players until he became the three-year President of the organization in 2000.

Bill was a member of the Twin Tier Poultry Cub and hosted frequent poultry events throughout the year at the Steuben County Fair Grounds. As a family tradition one of Bill's hobbies was breeding and raising poultry. He enjoyed summer weekends traveling with family to various county fairs and events where he displayed prize winning ducks and poultry. He was selected to be an American Bantam Association and American Poultry Association Licensed Judges called upon to judge birds at events across the northeast.

He also took great pride in volunteering with his father to mentor young participants in the 4H Organization as well as directing the Steuben County Agricultural Society.

His recent sickness never prevented him from being a loving husband and father who enjoyed both coaching and watching his two children hit and field baseballs, make free throws and shoot pool.

Calling hours were held on Friday October 6, 2006 from 1:00-3:00 & 6:00-8:00 at Fagan's Inc. Funeral Home, 31 West Morris St., Bath, NY.

Funeral service were held Saturday October 7, 2006 at 10:00 am at Centenary United Methodist Church, 3 West Washington Street, Bath, with Rev. Jeff McDowell officiating.

Burial was in Nondaga Cemetery, Bath.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be sent to Bill Whitney Athletic Sch o l a r s h i p F u n d , Hammondsport Central School, 8272 Main St. c/o Chris Brown.