Obituary of William H. Gavitt

William H. Gavitt, "Crow", 83 of Boyd's Mills, died Friday morning, October 28, 2011 at home after an illness. He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, the former Yvonne Snook. They were married on November 30, 1951. Born on June 24, 1928 at the family homestead in Boyd's Mills, he was the son of the late Joseph D. & Edna Mary Cowell Gavitt. He was a graduate of Damascus High School. Bill was a dairy farmer who enjoyed his family and the agricultural community in Wayne County. He was a member of the Calkins Union Baptist Church. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Boyd's Mills Hunting Club; he especially was fond of fishing trips to Canada. Bill was an accomplished banjo and fiddle player and was well known as both a talented square dance caller and member of the Steve Reeves Band of Beach Lake. He is also survived by four children: Patricia Sheard, and her companion Ted Amorine of Prompton, Mary Gries and her husband Roger of Calkins, Sharon Minor and her companion Joe Bezyak of Greeley, PA, and Joseph Gavitt and his wife Deborah of Boyd's Mills; a sister: Wanda Hanson of Honesdale; nine grandchildren: Jeremy Gries and his wife Holly of Boyd's Mills, Nathan Gries and his wife Amy of Calkins, Adam Gries of Torrey, Melissa Minor of Beach Lake, Brian Sheard of Waymart, Brett Sheard of Waymart, Angie Gavitt of Pleasant Mount, and Rebecca Gavitt of Boyd's Mills; fourteen great-grandchildren: Christopher, Ashley, Victoria, Makila , and Ellina Sheard, Kalah, Kaitlyn, Tyler, Olivia, Colton Gries, and Dacota and Joslynn Freiermuth, and Wyatt and Joella Gavitt; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Reynard, a brother, Leon Gavitt, a grandson, Roger Gries, Jr., and a granddaughter-in-law, Stacie O'Connell. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. in the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 North Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 with the Rev. Lane Jones officiating. Friends may visit on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Interment will be on Wednesday in the Calkins Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Crow's memory to the Boyd's Mills Hunting Club Junior Fishing Derby c/o Josh Sheard 430 Boyd's Mills Road, Milanville, PA 18443 www.bryantfuneralhome.com