John W. "Bill" Cosilmon

John W. “Bill” Cosilmon, age 97, passed away on April 13, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Calling hours will be held at Traub Funeral Home in Central Square, NY on Monday, April 20, 2026 from 4:00PM to 7:00PM, concluding with a service at 7:00PM.

Burial will take place at 11:00AM the following day on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Syracuse. Friends and family are invited to a memorial gathering directly following the burial at Monirae's on Co Rt 10 in Pennelville, NY.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Virginia; his children, Dale (Jim) Sotherden, David (Tracy) Cosilmon, and Carol (Lynn) Jones; and his stepchildren, Ginny (Carl) Dennis, Kenneth Guyer, Kim (Bob) Curtis, Holly (Randy) Barnard, and Kirk Guyer. He was predeceased by his son, Gene ‘Chip’ Dyer, and was also blessed with 19 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army during the years following World War II and during the Korean War, serving from 1946 to 1947 and again after being recalled from 1950 to 1951. Following his military service, he dedicated 30 years of his career as a letter carrier with the US Postal Service.

A devoted member of the Phoenix community, Bill gave generously of his time and energy for many years. He served as Troop Master for Boy Scout Troop 720 from 1966 to 1972, coached numerous levels of Little League baseball, and was active in several veteran’s organizations, including the VFW and a Disabled Veterans group. He also served as VFW Commander and County Commander. In 2017, Bill proudly participated in Honor Flight Syracuse.

Above all else, Bill was a huge family man who treasured the time he spent with those he loved most. He will be cherished for his love of fishing, camping, attending SU and Buffalo Bills games with his family, and sharing the many stories of his journeys throughout the years. Whether gathered around a campfire, out by the water, cheering on his favorite teams, or simply spending time with family and friends, Bill had a special way of bringing people together. His stories, wisdom, sense of humor, and love for his family will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Bill will be remembered for his patriotism, his dedication to his community, and the wonderful life he built around family, service, and adventure. He leaves behind a lasting legacy in the many lives he touched.

Born: January 10, 1929

Died: April 13, 2026

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