William F. "Bill" Salsbury will forever be remembered for his contributions to the area's children. Long a supporter for whatever benefited kids, Salsbury will forever be linked to American Legion baseball.

When Salisbury graduated Utica College in 1963, and after a short stint in the Army National Guard as a Military Policeman, he became the Youth Director at the Utica branch of the YMCA. Serving from 1965-1970, the foundation was laid for the deep affection Salsbury had for those children who were in need of a strong adult in their lives.

In the early 1970s, Salsbury would serve as a Coach and Athletic Director at Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School in South Utica. In 1974, Salsbury switched careers and went to work at Vicks Lithograph and Printing where he would work his way up to Production Manager prior to his retirement in 2003. Realizing that his new position afforded him the opportunity to devote his time to his first love - coaching - Salsbury joined American Legion Utica Post 229 and concurrently became its head baseball coach in 1974. In an ironic twist of fate, Salsbury's only New York State American Legion baseball title came during his first season in the dugout at Utica Post.

While at Utica Post, Bill subsequently served as a baseball coach on the high school level, first at Notre Dame High School from 1976-1979 and then at Utica Free Academy from 1984-1988.

Knowing that American Legion baseball had deep roots in American culture and the professional game, Bill became chairperson of the Department of New York American Legion Baseball and served in that capacity right up until his death in August 2006. In his fifteen years at the helm, Salsbury saw the tournament grow to new heights as he continuously developed new formats and programs for the tournament. Salsbury was also very instrumental in bringing the tournament to a central location within the state, playing the games at Utica's Murnane Field at Donovan Stadium.

"Bill Salsbury has always had the youth of the area first and foremost in his every day actions and activities," said Lou Parrotta. "From his support on and off the field with American Legion baseball players to his work with both the Notre Dame High School and Thomas R. Proctor High School National Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps to work with programs like Boys State, Bill Salsbury has always had one goal in mind - to make the lives of the area's youth the best they could be."

Through his work with the American Legion, Salsbury has left a legacy of service to and pride in the greater Utica community and all of America that will be remembered for decades.