EARLVILLE – William D. “Bill” Excell, 70, lifelong resident of Earlville, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012 at his home.
He was born Aug. 26, 1941 in Norwich and received his early education in local schools. On July 16, 1988, he married Rebecca M. Costantini in Smyrna. Bill dedicated his life to the many aspects of law enforcement. Toward that goal he attended the NYS Municipal Police Training Academy in Albany for the Basic Course for Police Officers in 1965; the Intermediate Course for Police Officers in 1968; the Police Supervision Course in 1972; and the Middle Management Police Administration School in 1979. He also attended Broome Tech Community College for the Alcohol, Drug and Driving School in 1969; and the NYS Police School in Albany for the Criminal Investigators School in 1975, and the Teletype Operators School in 1976. He also attended Iona College in New Rochelle for the Fire and Arson Investigation course; the SUNY Arson Training Seminar; and the Municipal Police Training Council State of NY Training Program. Bill was a patrolman for the Earlville Police from 1964-66. He went on to join the Chenango County Sherriff’s Department in 1966 as a deputy, leaving with the rank of Captain in 1984. From 1984 until his retirement in 2006, he was the Chief of Police for the Village of Sherburne. He was also the Sherburne-Earlville Central School Attendance Officer from 1984 to 1998; and a Respite Provider for the Broome DDSO in 2004.
Bill was a member of the First Baptist Church in Earlville. He was a member of the NYS Deputies Assoc.; and the National Assoc. of Chiefs of Police. He was a charter member and former President of the Chenango County Deputy’s Association; a charter member of the Sherburne Lions Club; and a former member of the Earlville Fire Department. His commitment to his community is evident by the many accolades he received, including the NYS American Legion Award; Police Officer of the Year Award; the O’Hara Award; the TV Channel 5 Gold Badge Award; the Police Service Medal; the Training New Deputies Award; the American Police Service Medal; and the Liberty Bell Award given by the Chenango County Bar Association in 2007.
Surviving are his wife, Rebecca; his children, William and Linda Excell of Earlville; Terry Excell of Fabius; Rhonda Lynn and George of LaFayette; Jeffrey and Kelly Excell of Cicero; sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Darwin Wilson of Earlville; brother, Ronald Excell of Earlville; in-laws, Deb Tressler of Earlville; Christine and Steve Fleming of W. Monroe; Elizabeth Costantini of New Berlin; Kathleen and Jerry Crandall of Smyrna; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the First Baptist Church, 9 West Main St., Earlville.
Interment will follow in Willcox Cemetery, Earlville, Town of Smyrna.
Friends are invited and may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 3 Preston St., Earlville.
Contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the First Baptist Church, Earlville.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.