Write a commentWilliam Hampton Leighton, 92, a long-time resident of Oswego, NY, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning February 19, 2017 at St. Luke's Health Services.
Known to many as “Bill”, he was born in 1925, the son of Clarence and Margaret Leighton. A graduate of Oswego High School, Bill served in the United States Army in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He was a member of the Second Battalion, “G” Company, Eleventh Infantry Regiment of General George Patton's famous 5th Division, The Red Diamond. He fought through northern France to the Saar River where he was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded a “Purple Heart” citation and an Honorable Discharge from military service in 1946.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Bertha, both long-time members of the Presbyterian Church, recently combined with the United Church of Christ, now the Faith United Church.
Bill Leighton started his career as a professional photographer in Syracuse, NY where he worked for General Electric at Electronics Park. In 1953 he joined his father, Editor at the Palladium Times newspaper, to install and operate photographic and engraving equipment. He eventually transferred to the advertising department of the Palladium Times where he worked until his retirement in 1981.
Mr. Leighton served his community on the Boards of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Operation Oswego, the Salvation Army, the Oswego Art Guild, and the Oswego Public Library. Bill was an active member of the H. Lee White Marine Museum to which he generously donated a scale model of the Catherine Moran tugboat, the National Historic Railroad Association, several art associations and model clubs. He was a trustee and deacon in the Presbyterian Church. He was a family man and an avid builder of model boats, airplanes, and trains. Bill incorporated extraordinary craftsmanship and attention to the finest details in his works. He received awards for his creations in numerous competitive exhibitions. He was known also for his exquisite pen and ink drawings, watercolor paintings and his photography.
Bill Leighton is survived also by three sons, William David (Cecilia) Leighton of Syracuse, NY; James Calvin (Nancy) Leighton of Pittsfield, MA; and Alan Blair Leighton of Palm Springs, CA; five granddaughters, whom he adored, Erin, Heather, Melissa, Brooke, and Lauren and his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Catherine, Olivia, William, Thomas, Jameson, and Lillianna, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Mary Leighton Parr, and Mary's husband Cyril Parr.
Arrangements are by Dain-Cullinan Funeral Home, 112 East Second Street, Oswego NY, where family and friends may call from 4 to 7 PM on Friday February 24, 2017. His life will be celebrated in a memorial service at Faith United Church, 12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive, Oswego, NY on Saturday February 25, 2017 at 2:00 PM.
The family requests that remembrances in Bill's name be made to Faith United Church, 12 Mark Fitzgibbons Drive, Oswego, NY, 13126, the Salvation Army, The Oswego Public Library, or a charity of one's choice.
