William H. Ransom III of Sayre, long-time community volunteer and Valley businessman, died on July 10, 2014 at Robert Packer Hospital. Born at Robert Packer Hospital on April 17, 1941, he grew up in Waverly and graduated from Waverly High School in 1959 where he was President of his Senior Class. Following graduation from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University in 1963, Bill joined his father, William H. Ransom, Jr., as a partner in Ransom and Ransom Insurance Agency in Waverly. After his father's death he owned and operated Ransom Insurance Agency in Waverly for 35 years, retiring in 2003 following the sale of the agency. He earned the industry pofessional designation of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and was a member and chair of several regional insurance company Agent Advisory Councils and of the National Agent Advisory Council of the St. Paul Insurance Companies, St. Paul, MN. Active in the community, he served for over 45 years on health care governing boards and was President of Tioga General Hospital and Tioga Nursing Home, Inc. Following Tioga's merger with Guthrie in 1982 he served on numerous Guthrie Healthcare System Boards and Committees. He was the longest-serving Chairman of Guthrie Healthcare System having served for almost 18 years. At the time of his death he served as Secretary of Guthrie Clinic, as Chair of its Compensation Committee and on many other committees. Ransom was also a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Tioga State Bank and its Audit, Compensation and Loan Committees. He also served as Board Chair of the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers, Inc., and was a past president of Sayre Historical Society. A member of the Sayre Presbyterian Church, he was a member of its choir and had served as a member of the Session. As a Waverly resident for many years, he was a member and Vice President of the Waverly Central School's Board of Education, a member of the Waverly Rotary Club for over 50 years, a past club president and a Paul Harris Fellow. Ransom also served as President of the Waverly Community Chest, Waverly Business Association and was a long-time member of the Waverly United Methodist Church serving as a Trustee, Administrative Board member, Lay Leader, Lay Speaker, choir member, Sunday School teacher and Cub Scout Pack Leader. Music was very important to Bill and he sang in choruses and church choirs most of his life. Also important were Syracuse football, basketball and lacrosse as well as New York Giants football and Yankee baseball. Ransom is survived by his wife, Sarah, and her sons, Jeff and Brad Craig and granddaughter, Kira Webb-Craig, all of New York City; and by his three children: daughters K. Lynn and Karen and grandson, Aurek, of Syracuse; and a son, James (Jen) of Northfield, N.J. Also surviving are his sister, Carol Lapham (Bruce), of Shepherdstown, WV, and nephews Bruce, Jr. (Christy) of Ringoes, NJ, and Christian (Lindsay) of Oakton, VA; and a niece, Marisa Taylor (Brandon) of Odenville, AL. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Marion Crumbling and her children, Scott and Sharon of Houston, TX. He was predeceased by his parents, Frances Malm and William H. Ransom, Jr., as well as by his brother, David. Lowery Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. There will be no viewing hours. A memorial service to celebrate Bill's life will be held at the Waverly United Methodist Church on July 19th starting with favorite choral selections and a pictorial presentation of Bill's life at 2 PM followed by the service at 2:30 with Rev. Ann Bey Canfield officiating. Memorial donations may be directed to the Operating Fund of the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers, Inc., 104 W. Lockhart St., Unit #2, Sayre, PA 18840. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lowery Funeral Home.