William T. “Bill” Pryor – 89 – of 1071 Sharps Hill Road, Arkport, died Thursday evening (January 28, 2021) at his home, following a long illness.

Born in Hornell on March 23, 1931, he was the son of Dorance & Mary (Taylor) Pryor.  However, he was raised by his “parents”, Vern & Agnes Livermore.

Bill grew up in Arkport and was a graduate of Arkport Central School (class of 1949).  He attended the University of Buffalo before enlisting in the US Marine Corps.  He served his country as a member of the US Marines from 1951-1954, spending a year in Korea fighting during the Korean Conflict.

Following his honorable discharge from the Marines, Bill returned to the Arkport area where he lived for the next two years.  From 1955-1964 he resided in Phelps, NY, and was employed as a Lineman for New York Telephone Company.  In 1964 he moved back to Arkport and continued working for New York Telephone Company in many capacities, retiring in 1988 as a manager.

Bill, along with his wife, Nancy, owned and operated Stone Hill Blueberry Farms on Stone Hill Road in Arkport where area families could enjoy the day picking their own blueberries.  For many families, this became an annual tradition.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed hunting & fishing.  He especially loved hunting deer, turkey and small game on his own land.

He was married on April 15, 1955 to the former Nancy Fuller who died December 2, 2006.  He was also preceded in death by 2 sons, Robert “Jay” Pryor (died 1964) and Martin “Marty” Pryor (died 2020); and his sister, Marianne Remsen.

Surviving are his loving companion, Kathie Pfaff; 3 sons, Bill (Amy) Pryor of Albrightsville, PA, Todd (Yvonne) Pryor of Clifton Springs, NY and Matt (Kelli Tierney) Pryor of Arkport; 2 granddaughters, Michelle (Richard Zimmerman) Pryor of Arkport and Taylor Pryor of Clifton Springs; 1 great-granddaughter, Harper Zimmerman; nieces & nephews.

At Bill’s request there will be no calling hours.  A private graveside service with Full Military Honors will be held at Heritage Hill Cemetery in Arkport at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.

Bill’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to either the Hornell Humane society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843 or CareFirst Hospice, 3805 Meads Creek Rd., Painted Post, NY  14870