William A. Lunsford, Jr.

William A."Smokey" Lunsford, Jr., 86 of Syracuse, New York died Saturday October 13, 2007 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse after a brief illness. William was born in Milton, West Virginia on May 13, 1921 and has lived in Syracuse for over 60 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II and a 1949 graduate of Simmons School of Embalming & Mortuary Science. He owned and operated Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, Inc. located in the city's Valley section on South Salina Street. Smokey was a self made man who taught his family the value of hard work and a sense of humor. A job well done was expected of everyone he associated with. He had a variety of interests and hobbies including Church and making crafts for his family and friends. He loved to play cards and dance under the stars. His interest in politics always added depth and a challenge to any conversation. Bill was a member of Konosioni Lodge #950 F&AM, Tigris Shrine Temple, Syracuse Court Royal Order Jester's, Onondaga-Oswego County Funeral Directors Association and First Baptist Church of Syracuse. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years the former Ola C. Cook; three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Gregory Lester of Deposit, New York, Cheryl and Ed Tribe of Bradenton, Florida, Bonnie and Eric Christopherson of LaFayette, New York; five grandchildren, Kurt (Sheila) Lester of Tully, New York, Shane (Ann Tyler) Lester of Deposit, New York, Darcy (Jason) Fortunato of Deposit, New York, Jennifer (Jonathan) Campbell of Bradenton, Florida and Matthew (Catherine) Newton of Wake Forest, North Carolina; eight great-grandchildren, Kurt Jr. and Caitlin Lester, Elisabeth and Jonathan Campbell, Reilly and Jack Newton, Caden and Blake Fortunato; one brother, Merrill (Annette) Lunsford of Milton, West Virginia; one sister, Ernestine (Frank) Mullens of Bidwell, Ohio; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was predeceased by four brothers and five sisters. Calling Hours: Wednesday, October 17, 2007, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 South Salina Street, Syracuse, New York. Services: Thursday, October 18, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Kavanagh officiating. Burial: Onondaga Valley Cemetery, 2500 Valley Drive, Syracuse, New York. Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. LIFE LESSIONS FROM BILL YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND TREASURES IN OTHER PEOPLE'S CURBSIDE GARBAGE. NEVER BE TOO PROUD TO RECYCLE. COUNTRY MUSIC AND DANCING UNDER THE STARS WITH YOUR WIFE IS COOL. IF SOMEONE ASKS YOU HOW OLD YOU ARE NEVER TELL THEM. JUST TELL THEM YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOUR TONGUE AND A LITTLE OLDER THAN YOUR TEETH. HAVING HEART SURGERY DOESN'T HAVE TO SLOW YOU DOWN. IT CAN GIVE NEW MEANING TO LIFE. A PERSON IS NEVER TOO OLD TO CHANGE UNHEALTHY HABITS. A FATHER AND HUSBAND CLEANING THE HOUSE IS NORMAL AND NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED OF. SAYING "I LOVE YOU" IS NOT ALWAYS EASY FOR SOME PEOPLE. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. SENIOR CITIZENS CAN BE SEXY. EVEN 80-YEAR-OLD MEN REALLY HAVE NICE LEGS. HARD WORK NEVER KILLED ANYONE BUT ALWAYS RUSH TO GET IT DONE. HAVE YOUR POOPER-SCOOPER WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED IT. YOU CAN BE GENEROUS BUT IT IS NOT NESESSARY TO DISCUSS IT. IF YOU KNOW YOU DID A GOOD JOB, BRAG ABOUT IT!! SUPPORT AND GO TO YOUR CHURCH REGULARLY. PAY RESPECT TO THE DEAD AND THEIR FAMILIES. ALWAYS PAY OFF YOUR DEBTS EARLY. IT ISN'T A GOOD POLICY TO BORROW MONEY OR THINGS FROM PEOPLE. PICK UP AFTER YOURSELF. IF IT ISN'T BROKEN, BREAK IT. TALKING ON THE PHONE MORE THAN 5 MINUTES MAY GIVE YOU DIARHEA OF THE MOUTH. LET YOUR KIDS MAKE MISTAKES AND LEARN FROM THEM. ENJOY YOUR GRANDCHILDREN AND MAKE SURE THEY WILL CARRY ON SOME OF YOUR TALENTS. RESPECT YOUR ELDERS AND THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCES. IF YOU HAVE TO GET ANGRY, FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO FORGIVE AND FORGET.

William A. Lunsford, Jr.

May 13, 1921 - October 13, 2007