William E. Connor, Jr. "Bill" Obituary (1935 - 2021)

William Edson Connor, Jr. "Bill" passed away April 7, 2021 surrounded by his family. Bill was born on his mother's birthday, February 20, 1935, to Edna Bishop and William Edson Connor, Sr. in Atlanta, Georgia. The family moved to Coudersport, PA and eventually to Corning, NY. He graduated in the class of '53 from Corning Northside High School and went on to attend Alfred Technical School. He entered the United States Army following the Korean War and spent two years as a military policeman at Fort Benning, Georgia. He credited his time in the service for teaching him responsibility and dedication to purpose. Upon his return to civilian life, he began a long career in the automotive industry, selling cars to many people in the Elmira/Corning area and ordering buses for the school district. He received many sales awards from the various dealerships he represented. He married the love of his life, Mary Jay (Richardson) Connor in 1963, and they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary last September. Bill's wife, children and grandchildren were the center of his life. He attended every baseball and football game for his boys and every gymnastics competition for his daughter. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jay; sons, Curtis (Mary Silsbee) Connor of Canandaigua, NY and Christopher (Ann Reilly) Connor of Webster, NY; daughter, Colleen Connor (Eric Shugarts) of Cherry Hill, NJ; grandchildren: Mina, William, Andee and Tessa Connor, and Maxwell, Quinlan and Reilly Connor; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Connor; and sister-in-law, Sandra Richardson. He was preceded in death by his son, Michael D. Connor, and his parents, Edna Bishop Connor and William Edson Connor, Sr. The family wish to thank the Veterans Affairs and Guthrie Home Health for their services. They especially want to thank CareFirst and the volunteers at Bampa's House for their dedicated and loving care. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 14 from 11 AM - 2 PM at Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., 216 E. First Street in Corning, NY. A funeral service will follow at 2 PM with Rev. Vaughn VanSkiver officiating. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery in Corning. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Bampa's House, P.O. Box 965, Corning, NY 14830, www.bampashouse.org.>>(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line) Bill's family has entrusted his care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc.