Ketch, William Wayne 1928-2013
Obit: Corning Leader, Corning, NY; Apr 20, 2013 @ 05:19 PM
BATH — William Wayne Ketch, of Bath, NY., entered into Heavenly rest on April 18, 2013, from the Taylor Health Center.
He was born March 25, 1928, in the Town of Cohocton, to Burton N. and Margaret Brown Ketch.
Wayne graduated from Haverling High School and attended Houghton College.
Following his dream of becoming a pilot, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he became a fighter pilot instructor flying P-51 Mustangs (his favorite) and F-86 Sabres.
He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska where he met his wife, Frances Tonseth, whom he married on August 29, 1953.
Upon his release from the Air Force he graduated from the University of Miami, FL. With a Bachelors degree, and received his Master’s degree from Denver University. In 1961, Wayne and Frances returned to Bath, NY, where they raised their children, David, Laurie and Steven, and where they have since lived.
Wayne flew as a Crop Duster for 20 years, then was employed as a truck driver. In his later years he loved to volunteer, building ramps for handicapped individuals with The Ramp Guys. He suffered a traumatic brain injury in a fall in 2008.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Keith, Bruce and Clair.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Ketch of Bath, NY., his sisters, Emma Jean (Carlysle) Watkins of Brandon, FL. And Karol Lynn (Warren) Wilkowitz of Estes Park, CO., son David (Mary) Ketch of Norman, OK., and their children Julia, Hunter and Amelia, daughter Laurie (Brian) Hetrick of Smith’s Grove, KY. And their children Robert, Brian Jr. and David, son Steven (Tiphaine) Ketch and their son Gavin of Pittsford, NY, as well as sisters-in-law Edith Ketch, Karen Ketch and Billie Ketch, sister-in-law Dorothy (David) Crockett of Utah, and several nieces and nephews. Wayne and Frances were also foster parents to over 20 children, including Paula Campbell of Cooleemee, NC.
In addition to flying, Wayne loved to sing, and was a member of the Ad Libs of Bath (who sang at the NY State Fair in 1964), the Keuka Blend, and church choirs where ever he lived.
Memorial Service will be held at the Centenary Methodist Church in Bath at a later date, and burial will be in Bath National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Centenary United Methodist Church of Bath.
His family would like to thank the many friends, neighbors, and members of the community who have been so supportive and helpful for the past several years.
Arrangements are being handled by Bond-Davis Funeral Home of Bath.
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