Obituary of William J. Bouton

William J Bouton, 56, of Big Flats, NY passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 22nd at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. Bill was born in Hornell, NY on July 11, 1967, the son of the late Joseph and Ann (Nelson) Bouton. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Hedgesville, NY where he learned the value of hard work and how to fix equipment. He spent many hours riding his Hodaka dirt bikes and playing basketball with his family and neighbors. He graduated from Jasper Center School, earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Corning Community College, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Alfred State College/Binghamton University. Bill started his career in welding and then worked at Hardinge’s in Elmira. He joined Sullivan Park Research Facility at Corning Incorporated in 1996 as a Research Technologist. He continued to grow his career for 27 years as an Engineering Research Scientist and contributed to many patents and projects. One of which was highlighted in a recent National Geographic magazine. Bill was always able to fix nearly all things and brought ideas to life using his experience from the dairy farm and engineering knowledge. Bill met his wife Lora while working at Corning Inc. in 1999 and they were married at Letchworth State Park on July 7, 2002. He was a supportive, loving husband. He was a proud and devoted father to his son, Benjamin and daughter, Madalyn. He never missed a basketball or volleyball game. He always helped them with special projects, like building a farmhouse table with Madalyn and helping Ben flip the Hedgesville Church, and more recently Ben’s Delorean car. He was thoughtful, selfless and caring to all family and friends. He attended many sport events for nieces and nephews, such as swim meets in Maryland, football games at Alfred University, and basketball games in Jasper. He had a great sense of humor and never missed an event for family and friends. He enjoyed helping anyone with car problems, snow removal, or anything they needed. Bill was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Ann (Nelson) Bouton and father-in-law Alfred Rossi. He is survived by his loving wife of 21 years Lora (Rossi) Bouton, his son Benjamin and daughter Madalyn, sister Marie (Patrick) Geraghty, brother James Bouton, mother-in-law Margaret Rossi, sister-in-law Christine Milgate, brother-in-law David Rossi (Pam Fuller), his nieces and nephews Joseph and Nicholas Geraghty, Jacob and Nicholas Milgate, Alex and Daniel Rossi, Jessie and Cash Bouton, Aunt Mary Ellen (Gary) Yantz and many loving cousins. He was blessed to have many lifelong friendships, such as Jonas Cox, Brett Cochran, Len Dabich, Mitch Smith, and many more. Friends may call on Friday, July 28 from 5 to 8 pm at the H.P. Smith & Son Funeral Home, 1607 Main St. Woodhull, NY. The family will also greet friends there on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm where funeral services will follow at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bampa’s house, which is an end-of-life comfort care home where Bill’s late father Joe was cared for during his final days. Bampa’s house is located at 170 East First Street in Corning, NY 14830 (bampashouse.org).