William R. Lehman

Belmont - William R. Lehman of 96 Greenwich Street passed away on Saturday August 8, 2009 at the Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital in Buffalo. He was born on December 29, 1928 in Wellsville to William and Lena Strong Lehman. On October 2, 1982 he married Doris Ann Babbitt who survives him.

Bill left high School to join the U.S. Navy and in 1954 he moved to California and in 1981 he moved to Belmont. He was employed in the military and commercial aircraft industry in California and Canada until 1980. Most notably Bill worked for Hughes Aircraft, Douglas Aircraft, Bell Aircraft, and Lockheed Aircraft and for North American Autonetics. He was very proud that he worked on the SR-71 Blackbird Interceptor. After returning to this area he worked for Alfred State College from where he retired from in 1993. Bill was an avid trout fisherman who knew the Genesee River. He loved the outdoors and liked to trap and had a passion for woodworking and good friends. Bill was a member of the Christian Temple Church in Wellsville and the American Legion Post 808 of Belmont.

Surviving besides his wife are four sons; Daniel (Debra) Lehman of Oklahoma, Patrick (Mary) Lehman of Virginia Beach, VA., Michael (Sousan) Lehman of California and Shane (Tracy) Lehman of Belmont; a daughter, Monica (Brennan) Turpel of Virginia Beach, VA.; four stepsons, Clayton(Danrae) Babbitt of North Carolina, Steven (Beverly) Babbitt of North Carolina, Jesse (Mary Ellen) Babbitt of Belmont and Ricky (Darla) Babbitt of Belmont; thirteen grandchildren, nine step grandchildren and several great grand and step great grandchildren. three brothers, Robert (Winnie) Lehman and Donald Lehman of Wellsville and Edward Lehman of Belmont, a sister in law Arlene Lehman of Wellsville and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by: a brother Terry Lehman, a sister Nancy Kiefer and sister in law Mary Helen Lehman.

Friends are invited to call on Tuesday August 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm in the J.W.Embser Sons F.H. in Belmont. A Funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 11 am in the Funeral Home with Rev. Ralph Eastlack presiding. Burial will take place in Forest Hills Cemetery in Belmont and memorials may be made to the donor's choice.