02/05/2026
In Loving Memory
William G. Salladin
June 20, 1931 – February 2, 2026
TABERG, NY - It is with greatest of sadness, the family of William G. Salladin (the original Wild Bill) wishes to acknowledge the passing of our beloved father on February 2, 2026. Bill requested his last days to be spent at his home, for the past year, at the Salladin Farm with family around him and to look out at the farm and woods he so loved.
Bill was born on June 20, 1931, to Royal J. Salladin and Sophia Estelle Wright in Canastota, NY. His early life was spent with his parents and brothers on Elm Street. At the age of 8 after the loss of his mother the year before, and as was common to farm out children, Bill and his brothers were sent to live at various farms in the area. Bill at the age of 8 began his life as a farmhand, beginning in Williamstown not far from another farm near his brother, Herb who would meet him halfway to check in on each other. Bill’s father would visit them at the farms and update each brother about the other and at times come for dinner. Bill spent his remaining childhood and adolescents working on various farms in Redfield, Osceola, Florence, Taberg and surrounding areas. For Bill this laid the foundation that he had to watch out for himself, and developed a strong code for honesty, hard work, good friends, strong sense of family, ability to talk with a variety of people and speak up for himself and charity was for others and not himself, or his family.
Bill married the love of his life, for 69 years to Patricia Ann (Pat) Moore, in Williamstown, New York, June 1, 1956. Patricia and Bill were so proud of their 5 children, Barbara (Paul) Hodges, Carolyn (Timothy) Kelley, Wild Bill Salladin, Brian Salladin and Scott Salladin. He was also a grandfather to Andrew (Maelene) Hladun, Cristin (Mike) Campbell, Robert (April) Burkhead and Patrick (Jean) Kelley. He cherished his great-grandchildren, Sabina Burkhead, Warren Hladun, William (Billy) Burkhead, Jacob Hladun, Mitchell Davis, Molly Campbell, Megan Campbell, Camden (Cami) Kelley, Tanner Kelley. Other special persons considered family in Bill’s life are Scott (Mary) Tilton and his family, a special friends, Glenda Mahl and Billy Platt. He was a beloved brother-in-law to Beatrice Salladin and Uncle to Calvin and Arlen Salladin, Michele (Salladin) Wild, Jack Salladin, Kentucky and their families. Bill’s five children and family were the beneficiaries of witnessing this man who grew up with no family structure to instilled core beliefs to stand up for yourself, extreme pride in the work you did and that family was a gift that we were to take care of each other in good and hard times.
In his teen years Bill worked as a Whistle Punk, after the big “Blow Down” in the Adirondacks. A whistle punk was young inexperience teens who would hookup sleds and logs, or other various labor-intensive jobs. When the loggers would “Whistle” the “Punks” would do what they were told to do. During this time Bill was bunked with the famous sky pilot, Reverend Frank Reed.
Bill also had another major adventure where he took a trip to Southern California as a young man with two friends. As the story goes, Bill and his friend grew tired of California and hitched hiked back to NY which they had to stop in Kansas. It took a few months, but he was able to earn enough money to get back home to New York. That lesson was he was staying in NY, in the same area where he grew up and although he took a few trips out the state, Bill always returned to Camden/Taberg until the end of his life.
Bill worked at not only farming, but a construction worker also building Fish Creek Dam and eventually a proud wire tinner for 31 years at Camden Wire, retiring in 1983.
Bill was a regular at local establishments and was well known for his humor, advice, stories and a few pranks with his friends. As a young man and always a character, wore a “mohawk” haircut for a time to confirm his independence and uniqueness, being known as “Wild Bill”. In recent years, early afternoon visits to The Good Life with what was known as the “Cane Crew” and will be missed by so many, young and old in the area.
Bill loved to fish and hunt in his youth and adulthood but preferred to enjoy seeing birds and deer as they stroll by the creek at the farm. Bill loved long drives through the countryside, his whole life. The drives would be to visit his brother, in LaFayette, local farms, buildings and towns and many country roads. It was an honor and history lesson to ride next to him as he would tell you the history and stories of his experiences, far too many to include here.
Bill was preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife Patricia, his parents, his brothers Royal (Jack) Salladin and Herbert Salladin.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to a local charity of your choice, Salvation Army or local veteran organization.
Funeral Service Information will be as Follows:
A celebration of life for Bill is being planned for June 6, 2026, at the Salladin Farm on State Route 69. More details will be posted in the Camden Paper closer to the date.
Arrangements are in care of LaRobardiere Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, Camden, NY.
Please share memories and condolences at https://www.larobardierefuneralhome.com/obituaries/William-G-Salladin?obId=47185140
