William Caulkins

Albany- William Thomas Caulkins, 77, entered into eternal life Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Albany Medical Center with his loving family by his side.

Bill was born on October 30, 1933 in Oneonta, NY, a son of Kearney and Irene (McCarthy) Caulkins.

Bill proudly served in the US Armed Forces from 1953 to 1955 as a member of the 187th Airborne R.C.T. including service in the Korean Conflict.

He worked at the former Penn Dixie Cement Plant in Cobleskill, NY. He then was employed at Owens Corning in Feura Bush, NY until his retirement.

Bill was an amazing father, grandfather, and friend, always reliable and ready to help with any task. Bill was a "jack of all trades" and could fix almost anything himself. An American history enthusiast, he also loved being outdoors whether he was hunting, fishing, gardening or woodworking. Men are no longer made like him.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Esther (Dunham) Caulkins; beloved daughter, Brenda Lee (Patrick) Mangan; grandchildren: Vanessa (Renan) Mangan Salgado and Michael Mangan; and his siblings, Helen E. Kania, Loretta Hitchcock, and Larry Caulkins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Main St., Middleburgh with Father Thomas Holmes as celebrant. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held from 6 to 8 PM on Wednesday at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh. Burial will be in Breakabeen Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 1536, Albany, NY 12201.

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