| Date of Birth | September 12, 1969 |
| Passed Away | April 28, 2017 |
| Place of Residence | Almond |
| Home State | NY |
| Service Date | May 2, 2017 |
| Service Time | 11:00 AM |
| Service Location | Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home |
| Interment Location | Woodlawn Cenetery |
WILLIAM L. ERNEST
ALMOND- William L. Ernest, 47, of Twin Valley Terrace passed away early Friday morning April 28, 2017 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
Born in Hornell on September 12, 1969. On December 24, 2016, he was married at the Jamestown Airport to Anne Greggs who survives.
After his graduation from Alfred Almond Central School, Bill proudly served his country from 1988-1991 serving in Germany and was called back to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. After 9/11, he again was called to Federal active duty as an armed guard at the Jamestown airport. Bill has been stationed with the Recruiting Retention Command in Hornell for the past twelve years attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He is also a professor of Military Science and has received many awards and decorations throughout his military career.
Active with the Boy Scouts of America as a scout master, Bill also coached youth soccer and was involved with the ALS premier soccer league. Bill loved spending time with his family and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.
His family includes his wife Anne; his four children, William Jr., Markus, Luke and Leia; his mother Sandy (Anthony) Arnold of Indiana; his sisters Connie (Donny) Vosburg of Almond and Bonnie Simms of Indiana; his brother Harry Simms of Indiana and many nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Marie and William Ernest and Raymond Flint.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the family of William L. Ernest.
Calling hours are from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Committal services and interment with military honor will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Almond, NY.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his name to either the Alfred Almond Youth Soccer League, AAYSL, in care of Shelly Mansfield, 57 Bemis Ave, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Five Rivers Council BSA, 3300 Chambers Rd., Horseheads, NY 14845.
Anne and family~
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. May God wrap his loving arms around you today and in the days to come
such a great guy!!!! our hearts and prayers go out to the family…. we are always here if you need us anne….
The Johnson family (Earl, Cathy, Stephen and Matthew)sends their condolences. We were all so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing each of you peace and healing at this difficult time.
Bill, You are going to be missed by a huge following of friends and a very loving family. Love and peace for you Anne.
Bill was so good to my son, Eric, and I always appreciated everything he did for all the boy scouts. You will be missed.
My sincere condolences go out to all of his family members and friends, especially his children.
I have never met Master Sergeant Earnest but have heard his name many times in conversations with my sister, Tammy Kokot. She has always spoke so highly of him both as a scout leader, coach and a friend. Rest in peace Master Sergeant Earnest, you watch is relieved..
Bill is going to be greatly missed by many. The youth of our surrounding communities are going to miss him as well. I was reading some of the posts from the younger group and I was touched. Mostly by their respect for him. The one that stands out to me was “I thought he was a hardass.” Bill was hard on them sure but he used it to bring out the best in most every one he coached, recruited, or came in contact with. He believed in kids who didn’t believe in themselves. He kept it real and like the posts by them “say he touched there lives and made them better people.” I can say I witnessed this “gift” Bill had when he coached my boys. Just recently he was coaching indoor and asked my son to play with him. I wasn’t available to take him a couple of times. He took him with him at a time when he must have been sick and exhausted. It didn’t show and he didn’t let it stand in his way of giving back. Bill, up to end, taught lessons to us all that we didn’t even realize he was teaching. It was a blessing he was put in our lives, and I will try to take a page out of his lesson plan.
Our deepest and most heartfelt condolences for the tremendous loss of MSG Ernest. You are all in our daily thoughts and prayers. God Bless and Rest in Peace.
Respectfully,
The Abbate Family
MSG Ernest was a great man with a great heart and will be without a doubt missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Dear Anne and family,
It was with heavy heart when I heard of Bill’s passing away. Bill was a great team member, Soldier and friend who I had the pleasure of serving with in the New York Army National Guard. He would always have that smile on his face and offer that smile to individuals when they needed it most in life. You were the love of his life Anne and anyone could see that when you were together. You and Bill were meant to be together. Bill also loved his children and would always tell me what was going in their lives and how proud he was of them. I will truly miss Bill and cherish the many memories I have of him working with him as a team member, Soldier and friend.
Just saw this. Sad to hear. RIP Bill,
Thanks for the good times we shared in the Wellsville Flag Football League and
thanks for your service to our country.
Sgt. Ernest was well liked by all staff and students when he visited and assisted our Wayland-Cohocton graduates with their enlistment and career plans. We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing and send our condolences to his wife and family.
To William’s family and friends, my sincere condolences go out to you on the passing of someone so dear to you. Lean on each other and God to help you through this difficult time. May God’s loving kindness comfort you and help you through your grief. Psalm 119:50,76
I really thank William Ernest for serving our country and he will be remembered in my heart forever.