William Vajda

Richmondville- William R. Vajda, 89, of Brooker Hollow Road, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.

Born June 23, 1924 in Dumont, NJ, he was the son of Stephen and Anna (Yurina) Vajda. Following high school, Bill proudly joined the United States Army Air Force and was an armored gunner in World War II. In 1946, he received an honorable discharge after three years of service as a corporal.

Bill came home and began his career as a carpenter, starting his family business. Upon retirement in 1990, he moved to the home he had built in Richmondville. Bill was also a volunteer driver for Schoharie County Office For the Aging Meals on Wheels Program.

In his younger years, Bill lettered in all four sports, and continued being an avid sports fan. He also found great pleasure in hunting, fishing, and mostly gardening.

He was predeceased by his wife, Theresa, who died February 9, 2013.

Survivors include his two sons: William Vajda of Worcester, Jeffrey Vajda, Sr. of Oneonta; three daughters: Kiki Tomek of Neptune, NJ, Dianne Vajda of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Doreen Vajda of Lehigh Acres, FL; four grandchildren : Jeffery, Danielle, and Jaimi Vajda, all of Oneonta, and Sarah Tomek of Nashville, TN; and his sister: Shirley (Harold) Michel of Chandler, AZ.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 10, 2014 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. Officiating will be Father Ronald Green of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Worcester. A committal service will follow at 1:00 PM at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery with military honors. Family and friends are also invited to attend a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leatherstocking Honor Flight, PO Box 621, Cobleskill, NY 12043.