George W. "Bud" Sonricker

Age 91, of Attica, passed away on February 10, 2026, at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia.

Born June 24, 1934, in Attica, Bud was the son of the late George and Mabel Lindsey Sonricker. He graduated from Attica Central School in 1952, married Betty Jean Wheeler in November 1954, and shortly thereafter proudly served our country in the United States Army, initially at Ft. Knox before being stationed in Baumholder, Germany in spring of 1955. Betty joined him in Germany in early fall of that year, enjoying one of the best times of their lives.

After his time in the service, Bud moved to an apartment in Varysburg with Betty and his first two children. He had several jobs including driving a milk truck before becoming a NYS Corrections Officer at the Attica Correctional Facility. At the same time, Bud joined his father and brother on the family dairy farm in Attica before moving into the family farmhouse in 1960, now with three children. There he and Betty had their fourth child and eventually took over the family farm. Bud was both a farmer and corrections officer for many years before retiring from both professions. Then he put on his entrepreneurial hat and started his own Christmas Tree business by converting some of the farm land into growing Christmas trees. He enjoyed raising trees and seeing families come every year to cut down their own tree. Other hobbies he enjoyed were fishing, hunting, watching baseball, and traveling, but loved the time he spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren most of all.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor to many. He had a gentle and kind spirit, always treating everyone with great respect, and offering a warm smile. He had a terrific sense of humor, was a good story teller, and loved to laugh. Never a complainer, but instead he always found the positive in every situation and the good in people. Bud belonged to the Immanuel United Church of Christ Church in Orangeville where he was a very active member, as well as a member of the Moose Lodge and American Legion.

Bud is predeceased by his parents; his loving wife of sixty-nine years, Betty; his brothers, Earl, Harold, and Jim; his sister, Helen Rudolph Miller; a son-in-law, Philip Knittel.

He is survived by his children, Kevin (Roxanne) Sonricker of Rock Glen, Kathleen (Neil) Judd of Paris, TN, David (Ann) Sonricker of Naperville, IL, Diane Knittel of St. Louis, MO; ten grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.

A Celebration of Life and a private graveside service with military honors will be held at a date to be determined. Arrangements are being completed by Robinson and Hackemer Funeral Home, Warsaw. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel United Church of Christ, 2165 Exchange Street Rd Attica, NY 14011, or the Attica Volunteer Fire Department, 11 Water St., Attica, NY 14011, or the Gateway House, 91 Main St., Attica, NY 14011; also at www.gatewayhomeattica.org/donate.