William Sharpless

William (Billy) Sharpless, age 48, of Nineveh, NY died suddenly on August 21, 2014 following a tragic automobile accident.

Billy was born on November 26, 1965 in New York, New York. He grew up in Bedford Hills, NY and graduated from Hobart College in 1988. After graduation, Billy worked in advertising and marketing at Katz Communications, and later as research director for HRP, a Division of Cox Broadcasting. However, for Billy, the life of the typical New York City rat-racer was not to be. After a significant health scare in his early thirties, he decided to live a different kind of life... and live he did.

Traveling became a favorite pastime for Billy. He toured many places, both foreign and domestic, with excitement and anticipation, making friends along the way. He spent his summers in Seward and Petersburg, Alaska working at Icicle Seafood, a salmon and crab fishery. He canoed, biked, kayaked, hiked, connecting with the outdoors at every opportunity. His passion for travel never waned, nor did his love of sharing his adventures with anyone who would listen.

Billy was passionate about his friends and family. He cared tirelessly for his best friend and cousin Tom Shea, who suffered from ALS for thirteen years, finally succumbing to the disease in 2012. He also adored his nieces, nephews and second cousins. He often took them on their own "adventures to foreign lands" in the backyard in the Beaverkill, in the river, up the mountains, and through the woods. Uncle Billy was never too busy to kick around the soccer ball, read a children's book, or watch a Disney movie with his nieces and nephews.

Billy is preceded in death by his father, William. He is survived by his mother, Frances; his sister and brother-in-law, Sara Sharpless and Ersan Abitagaoglu of Red Hook NY; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Jenny Sharpless of Tampa, FL. He also leaves behind his beloved nieces and nephews: Derin, Derya, Caroline, Jackson and Lauren. He will also be sorely missed by his large extended family, and by his many, many friends from all over the world.

A funeral service will be held at the Beaverkill Community Church at 4 PM on

Sunday, August 31, 2014. Memorial contributions in Billy's name may be made to Project ALS (www.projectals.org).

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave. Roscoe, NY. 607-498-4929 or 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com