William John Shaffer, 91, of Eldred, passed away Tuesday (October 15, 2024) at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 21, 1933 in Olean, NY, a son of Henry and Alverta (Eaton) Shaffer. On October 10, 1953, in Portville, NY, he married Carla B. Ayers, who survives.

Bill was a graduate of Otto Eldred High School and graduated from Penn Tech College in Williamsport, PA, with a degree in tool and die making.

He worked for Clark Brothers in Olean for several years, Corning Glass in Bradford, and retired from Bradford Electronics as a mechanical engineer.

He was a member of St. Marys Church, Sartwell and the Eldred Conservation Club as a lifetime member, where he held the position of President for four years. He was a small beef cattle farmer and he built the home he and his wife live in, along with four other homes. He spent 18 winters at St. Cloud, Florida. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and trapper. He was a hunter safety instructor. He loved camping, snowmobiling, and four-wheeler rides. He loved the outdoors and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

Three daughters: Cindy Shaffer of Calera, AL, Connie (Kirk) Kossack and Crystal Raymond, both of Smethport

Two sons: David (Isabel) Shaffer of Vail, AZ and Matt (Kim) Shaffer of Eldred

Eleven grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Shaffer.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, from 11AM to 1PM in St. Marys Church, 630 Newell Creek Rd., Eldred, PA 16731, where a Mass of Christian Burial will start at 1PM with the Rev. Thomas Brown, pastor as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Raphael Cemetery, Eldred.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Eldred Conservation Club. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport.