Deacon Willard DeRuyter Wilcox

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 17, No 37, p 147, Mar. 14, 1861.

In Lincklaen, N. Y., Feb. 22d, 1861, of cancer, Willard D. Wilcox, in the 60th year of his age. Bro. Wilcox was a native of Hopkinton, R. I. In the year 1826, he was married to Miss Sybil Godfrey, of Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. Immediately after their union, they removed to Homer, Cortland Co., where he established himself in business for many years, in a co-partnership with Dea. John Maxson. About this time, he made a public profession of religion, and himself and wife were received into the fellowship of the Seventh-day Baptist Church of Scott. In the year 1831, that church made choice of our brother to serve as deacon, to which office he was regularly ordained.

In 1840, he with his family removed to DeRuyter, and was received as a member of that church. An opportunity presenting for the purchase of water-power to propel machinery in the town of Lincklaen, he removed to that place about four years ago, and united his religious interests with the church in that locality; and continued an efficient member and officer in that body to the time of his decease.

In the three churches of which he was a member at different periods of his life, he enjoyed the respect, confidence, and affection of his brethren, and no less was he respected and beloved as a citizen and neighbor. Of the moral and religious character of our deceased brother, it is unnecessary for me to speak particularly; he was well known in the circles in which he moved and lived, as an upright, truthful man, kind neighbor, affectionate husband and father, humble and devout as a Christian, exemplary and uniformly consistent in all his deportment. His illness was lingering and painful, but it was endured with remarkable fortitude and submission to the will of God; no murmur or complaint escaped his lips. He prepared for his final conflict, and was enabled to meet death with perfect composure. His life was upright and godly, and his end was peaceful and triumphant.

Funeral services were held in the Seventh-day Baptist Church in DeRuyter, Feb. 24th. Notwithstanding the weather was intensely cold and stormy, the house was filled with a respectful and sympathizing audience. Sermon on the occasion by the writer, from Isaiah 3: 10, 11. Thomas Fisher.