Saratoga Springs, NY - William Clements passed away peacefully Friday, November 16, 2012 at Maplewood Manor Nursing Home. He was 89 years old. Born on September 27, 1923 in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late William Ralph and Dorothy Phillips Clements. Bill attended local schools and graduated from Saratoga High School with the class of 1942. A World War II veteran, Bill was drafted into the Army shortly after graduation. After training with the artillery in Texas, he shipped overseas in April 1943 and joined the First Engineer Combat Battalion of the First Infantry Division just two months before the D-Day invasion. On D-Day, his unit landed in the first twenty minutes of the invasion on Omaha Beach. He survived the battle, and fought through France and Belgium and into Germany. Bill was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and again after crossing the Rhine River. After recovering in Paris, he returned to Nuremburg where he helped build the cells for the Nazi war trials and played drums and sang in the Battalion dance band for USO shows. For his actions during the war, Bill received five bronze battle stars, the Arrowhead for D-Day, and two purple hearts. His unit received three Presidential Citations and other recognition. After the war, Bill returned to Saratoga Springs where he apprenticed as a carpenter. He enjoyed a long career as a carpenter and cabinet maker. He was a member of the Saratoga United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served on many committees. He was also active in the Kiwanis and Golden-K clubs, and served on the Saratoga Salvation Army Advisory Board for 17 years. Bill was a life member of VFW Post 420, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Society of the First Infantry Division and a Charter member of Chapter #49 Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Flora DeRidder Clements and his sister, Jean Clements Natale. Survivors include sons Phillip Clements of Seattle, WA, and James Clements of Boulder, CO; daughter Margaret Thompson (Richard) of Saratoga Springs and granddaughters Katrina and Sarah Thompson. Bill led a proud and full life, with a loving family and many friends and accomplishments. He will be missed by all who knew him. Funeral services will be at 1pm Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at the Saratoga United Methodist Church, Henning Rd. at Fifth Ave., Saratoga Springs. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Franklin Community Center, 10 Franklin St., Saratoga Springs, NY. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.