William L. Kremkau

William L. Kremkau, 88, of Mechanicsburg, died Friday, February 21, 2014 in Messiah Village, Mechanicsburg.
Bill left high school early at age 17 to join the Navy during WWII. He was stationed in Vanuatu in the South Pacific between Fiji and the Solomon Islands, in Seabee unit CBMU 539. Originally a member of the Class of '44, he graduated from New Cumberland High School in 1948 after returning from the war. Bill then went to work for the Pennsylvania Railroad and remained there throughout its transition to Penn Central and Conrail, mainly working at the Enola Yards, retiring after 40 years. He held a number of positions with the railroad including working as an electrician, an inspector, and as a ride-along troubleshooter for the railroad president's train. For many years, Bill was a private pilot who held a commercial pilot license. He first owned a Cessna 172 and then a 1961 Mooney M20B (N74747). He flew for several years out of Skyport Airport in Mechanicsburg and also from Hershey, where he piloted flightseeing tours.
Bill was a member of Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church of New Cumberland, and American Legion Post 109, Mechanicsburg. He was an avid traveler who visited all but two of the fifty United States, and was also a coin collector, a photographer, and a model railroad aficionado.
He was born in Huntingdon, PA to the late Lee H. and Carrie (Oaks) Kremkau. He was the widower of Shirley M. Kremkau, and in addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother Ivan O. Kremkau.
Bill is survived by his wife Elaine G. Encimer; a sister Jane Collins of Dillsburg; a daughter Cheryl L. Layos of Fairview Twp.; a granddaughter Sacha M. Layos of Fairbanks, AK; three great grandchildren, Sapphire, Sophia and Sylus (Layos-Wagaman); two stepchildren, Karen E. Friese of Harrisburg and James M. Encimer of NY, NY; two step grandchildren, Clay and Allison Friese; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and many lifelong friends.
Bill, aka Pappy, had a kind soul. His smile always reflected a boy-like innocence that you couldn't help but smile back at. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Family and friends are invited to attend graveside services with military honors which will be held at 10 am on Friday, February 28, 2014 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Township. A light luncheon will follow at the Community Room of Messiah Village at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, or to Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church, New Cumberland PA.
To send messages of condolence to Bill's family or for driving directions, please visit www.Parthemore.com.