Obituary of Wilbur ""Bill"" Fisher

Age 96 of Horseheads, NY passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Bill was born November 3, 1920 in Scranton, PA. Son of the late Miles and Bessie (Bolles) Fisher. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Geraldine Calverly Fisher on March 12, 2005; his Son-in-law, Peter Wills, Sr. in 2010; and his devoted daughter, Janice Fisher Wills in 2012. Bill is survived by his loving family: Son and Daughter-in-law, William and Pon Fisher, of Frisco, TX; Daughter and Son-in-law and longtime caregivers, Laura and Kevin McGurgan, of Horseheads, NY. Beloved Grandchildren: Jennifer (Todd) Gustafson, William Fisher, Jr., Peter (Theresa) Wills, Caitlin (Sean Sherwood) McGurgan, Megan (John Nolan) McGurgan, Brian (Abbie Surosky) McGurgan. Treasured Great-Grandchildren: Gavin & Ryan Fisher, Dylan Gustafson, Natalie & Tucker Wills, and Seamus Sherwood; along with countless family and friends that considered Bill as ‘Grandpa’; and several family canine companions. In service to his country, Bill served in the Army Air Corps, piloting B-17s & B-29s during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Bill flew 29 combat missions in the War, and attained the rank of Captain prior to final separation in 1954. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 star, and Distinguished Unit Citations during his service. Bill owned and operated Fisher’s Furniture Store on Main Street in Horseheads for over 20 years. He then worked for the Small Business Administration, until his retirement. He was a 70 year member of Horseheads Old Oak Lodge F&AM, and longtime member of the Horseheads American Legion. Bill was a Past-President of the Horseheads Rotary Club and the Horseheads Little League. Bill was a kind, generous and wonderful man, whose love of life was truly infectious to anyone that had the joy to sit and visit with him. He touched many hearts and will be greatly missed by all. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Brian Cassetta and the Guthrie Health system for their extraordinary care provided to Bill over the years. Family & friends are invited to call at Barber Funeral Home, 413 S. Main St.,Horseheads, NY today, Friday October 27, 2017 from 5-7PM & again on Saturday from 10-11AM. A service will be celebrated there at the conclusion of calling hours on Saturday at 11AM. Graveside committal with Military Honors will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Bill with a memorial donation to Twin Tiers Honor Flight, 2735 Slaterville Road, Brooktondale, NY 14817, twintiershonorflight.org. Condolences at www.barberfuneralhome.com. NOTICE: Officers & Members of Horseheads Masonic Lodge will gather at Barber Funeral Home on Friday at 7PM to conduct a Memorial Service for their departed brother.