William Durwood Youngs

William "Bill" D. Youngs died August 27, 2026, at the Auburn Community Hospital. Bill Youngs was the son of the late Durwood and Nora Youngs. He attended Hartwick College earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Bill served in the United States Army and was stationed in Panama during the Korean conflict (1953-1955).

After the service Bill began his career in the sciences. He was a state Biologist at Ray Brook, New York until 1960 when he went into business as owner and operator of the Fernwood Trout Hatchery located near Glens Falls, NY. In 1967, Bill entered Cornell University and received his PhD in 1971. He had an illustrious career teaching and doing research at Cornell University for 28 years and co-authoring two textbooks on Fisheries Science. Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He was a skilled fly fisherman and enjoyed hiking and hunting. In retirement, Bill received his pilot’s certificate and enjoyed building three experimental aircrafts, demonstrating his meticulous craftsmanship with each one.

Bill is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn; his children, Bill (Carol), and Lauren (Bob); grandchildren, Kathleen, Eric (Wendy), Will, Walker (Megan), Catherine; and great grandchildren, Avery, Gunner, and Colson. A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Christ United Methodist Church of Locke and Moravia, 36 Church Street, Moravia, NY 13118.