Wilfred "Bill" E. Drew, Sr.

July 18, 1925 - April 18, 2016

Wilfred (Bill) E. Drew, Sr., 90, formerly of Sheffield Road in Ithaca, passed away April 18, 2016 at Cayuga Ridge Health and Residential Community after a life filled with love and adventures. Born July 18, 1925, he was the son of Otis Theodore Drew and Vera Adeline Carrington Drew. Mr. Drew was predeceased by his wife Charlotte Fox Drew, a sister Eileen Raymond and her husband Lyle Raymond; his brother Otis Carrington Drew and his wife June Drew. In addition, he was pre-deceased by several in-laws. Very much a hard-working, family-oriented man, he was the Father of six children, as well as a foster parent for more than 70 children. Bill enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, woodworking (especially making toys for children), and he loved to go square dancing. He was an incredibly strong, smart, kind, and generous man. Mr. Drew served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, and was a proud member of “The Greatest Generation”. During his lifetime, he was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, the Ithaca City School District Transportation Committee, the Tompkins County Foster Parents Association, the Enfield Baptist Church, the Kennedys Corners Methodist Church, and the Jacksonville Methodist Church. Over the years, Bill worked for Finger Lakes Stone Quarry, Seeley’s Feeds, and over thirty years at NYABC/New York Artificial Breeders Cooperative (Eastern AI Coop/Genex). Mr. Drew is survived by his daughter, Ellen (Richard) Yacovone of Oro Valley, AZ; sons Wilfred E. (Susan Hatch) Drew Jr. of Groton, NY; Daniel C. (Marcia Cunningham) Drew of Stephens City, VA; Thomas B. (Karen Havens) Drew of Hilton, NY, Leon A (Lisa Turner) Drew of Cripple Creek, CO; Matthew J. (Dena Aeisha Williams) Drew of Newfield, NY; 18 Grandchildren; 8 Great Grandchildren; brothers-in-law Norman (Fran) Fox Jr; John Allen Fox; Richard (Annette) Fox; and sisters-in-law Mary Rose Rinell; Jane Ann (Allan) Lefkowitz; Joan Ellen (William) Murphy; many nieces and nephews, and many long-time friends. Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 27 from 9:00-11:00 AM at the Herson-Wagner Funeral Home, 110 S. Geneva St. Ithaca, NY followed by a graveside service with full Military Honors at South Hill Cemetery at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Gabriel’s Angels at https://www.gabrielsangels.org/donate_memory.php -or- to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, ATTN: Community Beautification, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850. Herson-Wagner Funeral Home of Ithaca is assisting the family with arrangements.