William E. Eldridge, 91, of Homosassa, FL, died July 10, 2014, at Crystal River Health and Rehab. William was born on September 12, 1922, in Forestine, New York to the late William and Harriet (Claessen) Eldridge.

William was raised in Eldred, NY where he resided until moving to Florida in 1985. He proudly served our country in the United States Army during WWII as an ambulance driver for the 93rd Evacuation Hospital after landing on Utah Beach in Normandy. He saw action in the Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and the Rhineland and was discharged in December of 1945. He was employed by the Sullivan County (NY) Department of Public Works for 44 years as a crane operator. William enjoyed woodworking and building beautiful pieces of furniture for his home and those of family and friends. He also repaired bicycles to give to children in need during the Christmas season.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Patricia Abt, New York, NY, Deanna (Anthony) Sicuro, Port Jervis, NY, Kathleen (Harlan) Haskins, Bonita Springs, FL and Anne-Marie (John), Vandenende, Riverview; seven grandchildren, Tony, Angela, Connie, Louis, Caroline, Shaye and Frances; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Jane; his grandson, Matthew and son-in-law Lou Abt. One of 14 children, he was preceded in death by all of his siblings.

A funeral service and tribute to William’s life was held on Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory. Burial followed at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in William’s memory to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, Florida 34464 or The Wounded Warrior Project.