Senate Resolution No. 2738

BY: Senator TEDISCO

COMMENDING Arthur William Wilsey posthumously upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this
country's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
in peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Arthur
William Wilsey posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate, to be celebrated at the
Saratoga County Honor our Deceased Veterans Ceremony on Tuesday, October
15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, Arthur William "Bill" Wilsey was born on September 8, 1925
in Gloversville, New York, to the late Arthur R. and Mildred Wilsey; he
attended high school at Oxford Academy and spent much of his childhood
on his grandfather's farm in Greenfield Center; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wilsey entered into the United States Army on December
9, 1943, and served with Company F 291st Infantry Regiment, 75th
Infantry Division; he fought in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central
Europe campaigns, notably fighting in the Battle of the Bulge; he also
participated in occupation duty in Germany following the German
surrender; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service during World War II, Bill Wilsey
was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the
World War II Victory Medal; he was discharged at the rank of Private
First Class on April 17, 1946; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Bill Wilsey
attended SUNY Cobleskill, where he met his wife Joy, and together they
had three children, Claudia, David, and Patricia; and

WHEREAS, Bill Wilsey enjoyed farming on his land where he managed
his own chicken farm, and every Friday he would "peddle eggs" to regular
homes and restaurant customers across the county; he also worked for the
Saratoga Bottling Plant, and in 1965 he began working for the New York
State Department of Transportation where he retired from in 1982; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Bill Wilsey was an active member of the Odd Fellows in Middle
Grove and the Free Masons in Greenfield Center; and

WHEREAS, Arthur William Wilsey died on December 11, 2012, at the age
of 87; and

WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who risked their
lives for their beloved Nation; and

WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Arthur William Wilsey demonstrated his love for his country and merits
forevermore the highest respect of his State and Nation; and

WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended
and thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and
for their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Arthur William Wilsey posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Arthur William Wilsey.