Obituary of William Graham Yungstrom

Age 92, of Elmira passed away at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Thursday, May 23, 2013. He was born April 19, 1921 to A. William and Lillian Graham Yungstrom. He married the former Madeline Valois on May 18th, 1942. He is predeceased by his wife of 61 years Madeline "Chic" and sister Ruth Ann Hooey. He is survived by his four children, Diane Crellin (Don) of Rochester, N.Y., William G. Yungstrom II, of Brookings, OR, Lynne Haro (Mike) of Reno, NV, and Eric Yungstrom (Diane) of Elmira, sister-in-law Lois Packard (Dean) of Flat Rock NC, three grandchildren, Michael "Chip" Haro II (Sandy) of Benbrook, TX, Scott Haro (Johanna) of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Yungstrom (Paige) of Arvada, CO, three great grandchildren Samantha and Michael Haro III, Julian Yungstrom, cousin Ella Jane Davis (Ken) of Tallahassee, FL, and several nieces and nephews. Bill graduated from Hendy Avenue School in 1934, Elmira Free Academy in 1938 and Elmira Business Institute in 1940. He became very active in local politics and various service organizations at an early age. He served as local and national president of Theta Phi Fraternity in high school. After graduating from EBI, he became Assistant to State Assemblyman Harry J. Tift. He later joined the office of the Chemung County Treasurer as an Administrative Assistant. His service to his community and country continued when he enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 where during WWII his call to duty sent him to the South Pacific theatre in Hawaii, Saipan, and Tinian until Nov. 1945 whereupon he returned to work in the Chemung County Treasurers office. Upon the death of then Treasurer John Fiester, he was appointed County Treasurer by New York State Governor Thomas E. Dewey. He later ran for and was elected to the position in 1946 and reelected in 1949. Bill served as President of the New York State County Treasurers Association and at the age of 29 became the youngest county chairman in New York when he was named Chemung County Republican Committee Chairman. He served as President of the Town of Elmira Republican Club. In 1951 Bill accepted a position as treasurer of the Rathbone Corporation and the Arnot Realty Corporation serving until 1962. In 1952 he was named Young Man of the Year by the Elmira Junior Association of Commerce. Bill returned to politics in 1962 and ran for election for the County Treasurers office again winning a 3 year term. He served on the Board of Directors for Elmira Savings and Loan from 1963-65 and later accepted the position of Treasurer in 1965 and from 1975-1983 served as Vice President of ES&L. As a life long resident of West Elmira, his service to his community continued as a Town Councilman on the Elmira Town Board from1972-1980 and was elected Town of Elmira Supervisor in 1980 serving until his retirement in 1995. As an Elmira native, Bill dedicated much of his life to the Elmira community. His activities were far reaching and numerous. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church serving on the Church Council and as President. He was former Treasurer and President of Chemung County Council of Churches. Bill was a proud member of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New York serving as Secretary of Union Lodge 95 of Elmira and as District Deputy and Grand Master of the Chemung, Schuyler, and Tioga District. He was a member and past financial officer of the Harry Bentley Post of The American Legion, former Chairman of the Council of Social Agencies, former Director of the Association (Chamber) of Commerce, former Vice President of Community Chest (United Way), and Former Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Bill was an Executive Board member, former Treasurer and District Chairman of the Sullivan Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America. He received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award given by a local scout council in recognition of volunteer service for youth. He supervised the food concession tent at the Scout-O-Rama for many years. He was a former Chairman for the Office of the Aging Advisory board, former Vice President and Director of Forest Lawn Memorial Park and served as Director of Southern Tier Economic Growth. He was a lifetime member of Kiwanis International keeping perfect attendance for over 54 years. Bill was a past President and served on the board of directors and several committees of the Elmira Kiwanis Club and was past Lt. Governor of the Chemung Division of New York State Kiwanis. For his service, Bill received the Hixson Award, Kiwanis's highest and most coveted honor. With what little spare time he had in his younger years, Bill enjoyed supporting his wife and children in all their activities. Getting up at 4am Sunday mornings to help his boys deliver a Sunday paper route was one of many ways he showed how hard work had its rewards. He enjoyed bowling at Rossi's in the Church League, an occasional attempt at golf, taking in a Pioneer game at Dunn field, outings at Eldridge Park and Harris Hill , scouting activities, or a ride on his toboggan with his family. His work day rarely ended when he got home, spending hours in his office or off to committee meetings in the evening. He relaxed at home listening to a stack of LP's on his record player falling asleep in "His Chair". Bill enjoyed playing cards with the love of his life and wife Chic, especially playing bridge with several good friends in weekly bridge clubs that would rotate meeting in each others homes. They also volunteered at the LPGA Corning Classic for many years. Most of all he enjoyed his time at Keuka Lake. Bill and Chic hosted many a gathering at their place on Keuka. He was one of the developers of a Keuka Lake property called The Bluffers and had a summer residence there until recently. Bill was a humble servant to his family, hometown, and nation. He made his family very proud. Bill's family would like to thank the staff at Arnot 4D for their outstanding care, love, and compassion they so willingly gave to him over the past several years. At his request there will be a private family burial service at Woodlawn Cemetery. Remembrances in his name can be made to your favorite charitable organization.