Obituary of William Francis Coon

William "Bill" Francis Coon Trumansburg - William "Bill" Francis Coon, 66, of Trumansburg, NY, passed away peacefully in his home on July 18, 2020. Bill was born and raised in Binghamton, NY, the third of ten children to Walter and Dorothy (Balles) Coon. Bill attended college at SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Binghamton, and SUNY Delhi, earning his B.A. in Geology ('76), M.A. in Public Policy/Administration ('79), and A.A.S. in Civil Technology ('79), respectively. Bill met his wife-to-be, Loraine "Lori" (Schottel) Coon while at SUNY Delhi, and they were wed in 1981. Bill and Lori remained happily married for 39 years, until the time of Bill's passing. Bill moved to the Ithaca, NY area after he was hired as a hydrologist with the US Geological Survey (USGS). Bill worked for the USGS for 38 years, where he is remembered as being a diligent and well-respected colleague. In the last five years of his tenure, Bill was promoted to the position of Water Science Center Surface Water Specialist, serving as the only surface water modeler in NY. At the USGS, Bill worked on several projects and served as a consultant for studies in water quality, streamflow, wetland health, flood management, and water modeling throughout Central NY and the Southern Tier. Shortly after moving to the Ithaca, NY area Bill and Lori settled in Trumansburg, NY where they would raise their three sons: Brandon, Colin, and Aidan. Bill was very engaged with his community, and became involved in local social justice ministries, resettlement programs for Vietnamese refugees, house building through Habitat for Humanity, and water monitoring through the Community Science Institute (CSI). Bill was also highly involved in his sons' interests, helping to found the Taughannock Soccer Club, building sets for the Trumansburg Central Schools' Drama Club, working with Music Boosters, and supporting various other community initiatives. Bill and his family also fostered over 150 dogs and puppies for Golden Retriever Rescue and other rescue organizations. Bill enjoyed many outdoor and recreational activities, including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping, playing volleyball and soccer, attending concerts at Taughannock Park and Grassroots, practicing yoga, and reading books on a variety of topics. Bill was a lifelong-learner, and continually challenged himself to better understand the world around him. His family and friends remember him as a kind and patient person whose listening skills were unmatched. Bill had a special gift for making those around him feel valued and loved. Bill is survived by his wife, Lori, and their three sons, Brandon, Colin, and Aidan, as well as numerous family members and close friends. Donations in Bill's memory can be made to the Ulysses Philomathic Library, the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, or Hospicare of Ithaca. There are no plans for services at this time.