George B. Stephenson
Garden Center Owner, 72

George B. Stephenson of White Sulphur Springs, NY, a lifelong Sullivan County resident, passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at the Catskill  Regional Medical Center. He was 70.
The son of the late George B. and Clara Glassel Stephenson, he was born November 18, 1938 in Bethel, NY.
George was the owner-operator of Stephenson’s Garden Center in Liberty and was previously a longtime manager and Vice-President of Operations for Sullivan’s Dept. Stores in Liberty and Middletown. He was passionate about antique automobiles and belonged to the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Catskill Regional Chapter AACA. He also was a member of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce and Sullivan County Cooperative Extension.
Survivors include his wife Kathleen Blinn Stephenson at home; a daughter, Ellen Kitzmiller and her husband Larry of Woodbourne; two stepsons, Scott Buckley and his wife Mandy of Syracuse and Erik Buckley and his fiancée Joanna Moses of Walden; three grandchildren, Jacob Gray, Christopher and Jesse Kitzmiller and several cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 18 at 11 a.m. at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty. Rev. Gary Fredericks will officiate.
Burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs will follow the services.
Memorial contributions in George’s name may be made to the American Heart Assn., 1 Union St. #301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183.
Funeral arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty.

William Higgins
Retired Steamfitter, 80

William ”Bill” Higgins of Parksville, NY, a retired steamfitter for Local #638 in New York City and a longtime area resident, died Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at his home. He was 80.
The son of the late Martin J. and Irene A. Jancovic Higgins he was born September 16, 1929 in New York City, NY.
Bill was a life member of the Steamfitters Association, a past president of the Steamfitters Alumni, a former Chairman of the Sullivan County Conservative Party, and a past president of the Holy Name Society of New York City.
In a family statement it was said, “Bill was devoted to the hamlet of Parksville and dedicated to the preservation of the Veterans Memorial. He loved his country.”
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice M. “Betty” Higgins at home; his daughter Kathleen Bivins and her husband Bruce of Lakeland, FL; three grandchildren, Beatrice Sigman, William Bivins, and Matthew Higgins; and three great-grand children, Michael Sigman, Megan Sigman, and Jordan Bivins.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home.
Burial will be in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs, NY.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Liberty Fire Department, 256 Sprague Ave., Liberty, NY 12754.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home West Street at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001 or 845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com

Douglas L. Thiele, 80

Douglas L. Thiele of Henrietta, NY, died Sunday, August 30, 2009, at the age of 80. He was born on August 4, 1929 in South Fallsburg, NY. Predeceased by brothers, Alvin and John. He leaves his children, Kathleen (Brian) Goldweber, Douglas, June (Ari) Thiele Hukki, Dennis (Maria), Elizabeth (Al) Vieira, Daniel (Michelle) and Julie Gonzalez; 16 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Davis & June (John) Hallsten; brothers, Carl (Florabel) & Ron; several nieces & nephews.
Services at the convenience of the family. Willard H. Scott Funeral Home.