William L. "Bill" Fuhrer

William L. “Bill” Fuhrer, 88, of Selbyville, DE, and formerly of New Cumberland, PA, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, MD. Son of the late Stanley and Anna (Orr) Fuhrer, he was born on July 5, 1932 in Grove City, PA.

Bill was raised in Dalmatia, PA. He worked in farm fields from a young age, including the former East Malta Farms Dairy. He graduated from the former Mahanoy Joint High School in 1950 and was valedictorian of his class. He played multiple sports including baseball, basketball, soccer and football. He then attended The Pennsylvania State University. During his senior year, his father, Stanley, passed away and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1953-1956). He was assigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC. While on active duty in the Marine Corps, Sergeant Fuhrer was one of two Marines credited with the creation of a revamped supply ordering process; he also served a portion of his tour as an Instructor at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.

Bill worked 27 years (1957-1992) for the former Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. Upon the Bell System Breakup in 1984, he continued with AT&T for eight more years, giving him 35 total years of service. While at the Telephone Company, he left his mark on many projects he was asked to manage and handle. Highlights of his career include working on the first mobile telephone sales team in 1957, being part of a team of three based in New York City that wrote and implemented a management sales training course for the Bell System in 1967, and his creativity and leadership as head of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Communications Account with Bell and AT&T.

Bill was a 57-year member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Cumberland. He was highly active in church life, including serving as president of Church Council and volunteering as an usher/head usher for 40+ years.

He also served for many years on BSA Troop 82’s committee. Himself a Life Scout, he enjoyed spending time at Hidden Valley Scout Reservation during Spring & Fall Camporees and Summer Camp, especially since he would wear his Marine Corps Campaign Hat and carry his swagger stick proudly.

Bill served New Cumberland, PA and Cumberland County, PA in several County Republican Committee roles including Committeeman, Chairman of the Rules Committee and for 35 years, and Judge of Elections for the 2nd Ward/3rd Precinct in New Cumberland.

He was dedicated to community service, being a 40-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Harrisburg and a 60-year member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Harrisburg, A.A.S.R. He also belonged to the Harrisburg Masonic Lodge #629 and Zembo Shrine, and he was a lifetime member of The American Legion.

Bill was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. His sense of humor was legendary. He was trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent as well as extremely wise, respectful, patient, generous and considerate. He was a man you could count on. His word meant everything. He loved baseball and football and was an avid, lifelong New York Yankees and Penn State Football fan. He enjoyed Philadelphia Phillies Baseball with his son, Bill, and became a fan of that team as well. Of all the places he travelled, whether it be on business or with his wife, his favorite destination was Ocean City, Maryland. This is where he, Wanda, and Bill began vacationing and building relationships in the late 1960s.

He loved his wife, Wanda, with all his heart and soul, and missed her terribly after her passing. He often told a story of early in his career at Bell when he was told to report to Miss Wolf regarding paperwork he wasn’t filling out properly… he got a huge smile on his face when he would say that he’s been reporting to Miss Wolf ever since. He loved his son, Bill, at times to exhaustion. They shared a dynamic camaraderie. He was a father, friend, and confidant, and was still sharing wisdom with him until the end. Later in life, he was thrilled when his family expanded, including his son Bill’s wife, Shera, daughter Heather, and son, Kingston. He loved Shera and Heather deeply, and Kingston was the apple of his eye.

Surviving Bill is his son, William B. Fuhrer (wife, Shera L.) of Selbyville, DE; a granddaughter, Heather L. Lorusso; a great-grandson, Kingston Lee Lorusso; and a sister, Audrey J. Brosius. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Wanda A. (Wolf) Fuhrer; sisters, Arlene A. Fuhrer, and Barbara M. Lupold; and his brother, Robert S. Fuhrer.

A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Cumberland, with Pastor Jennifer Richards officiating. A Masonic tribute will open services in the church, and there will be a one-hour visitation from 10AM until services commence. Immediately following, interment is scheduled in Churchville Cemetery, Oberlin. Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be observed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Bill’s name to his church, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 530 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070.