Obituary of Major William E. Croft

Major William E. Croft "Billy" Bradford: Major William E. ''Billy'' Croft, age 48, of Lamoka Lake, Bradford, NY died Tuesday June 7, 2016 at Schuyler Hospital, in Montour Falls, N.Y. after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his family. Friends are invited to calling hours from 1:00 -3:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Monday, June 13 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, June 14 at St. Mary's of the Lake Catholic Church, 905 Decatur St. Watkins Glen, NY with Father Tom Mull and Father Steve Lape officiating. Burial with Full Military Honors will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday June 28th in Tyrone Union Cemetery, Tyrone, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Dundee Sports Boosters for Track and Football; P.O. Box 53 Dundee, NY 14837; or the Tyrone Fire Department, P.O. Box 69 Tyrone, NY 14887. William was born February 27, 1968 in Corning, NY, the son of William E. and Jean Marie (Welsh) Croft. Billy graduated from Dundee Central School in 1987. In 1990 he enlisted in the US Army and began his military career. While in the Army, he achieved the rank of Major and served multiple tours overseas, including Germany, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Africa. While serving his country he also worked to complete his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Education from the State University at Cortland. In 1994 Billy graduated from the Southern Tier Police Academy and started his law enforcement career in Watkins Glen, NY. Billy later went on to serve and protect for the Wayne County Sheriff's Office, Wolcott PD, Lyons PD, and eventually retired from the Newark Police Department. He is loved and will be forever missed by his twin daughters Maria J. Croft, and Hannah N. Croft, his son William "Bryson" Croft, and step-son Ryan W. Clark-Sulkey, all of Newark, NY; his father William E. Croft of Harrisburg, PA, mother Jean Marie (Donald) Kosty of Lamoka Lake, brother Joseph "Joey" H. (Kerry) Croft of Williamson, NY; sister Kerri M. (John) Cover of Millersburg, PA; uncles John "Ben" (Darlene) Welsh of Italy Hill, NY, Edward J. (Priscilla) Croft of Mount Pleasant, SC, aunt Margaret Moore of Prospect, KY; nephew Harry "LJ" Croft; nieces Katelynn Cover, Jessica Cover, Elizabeth "Libby" Croft, cousin Ron "Grew" (Patricia) Tormey and family, and close friends Mary Hilkert and family; along with several dear cousins; countless friends; and all of his fellow brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Armed Forces. Rest in peace, we'll take it from here. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.