William “Bill” or “Wild Bill” N. Sweeney, 78, of Harrisburg, formerly of Pleasant Gap, died Sunday, July 8, 2012, at his home in Harrisburg.
He was born August 10, 1933, in Centre Hall, a son of the late George and Grace Martz Sweeney.
On July 18, 1954, he married Betty L. Morrow who preceded him in death December 14, 2008. On November 11, 2009, he married Sara Barger Kepner Wingert Sweeney who survives at home.
Bill was a 1951 graduate of Centre Hall Potter High School where he played soccer, basketball, and baseball. He also spent several years in Scouting.
During the Korean War, Bill served with the U. S. Army until his honorable discharge June 1, 1961.
His career spanned several job and kinds of work many of which involved sales. He also worked at Cerro Metals at Bellefonte, but spent most of his working life as route sales distributor of Middleswarth Potato Chips for Luse Distributing in Centre Hall.
Bill served as a volunteer for the Pleasant Gap Fire Company, was a member of the Pleasant Gap Rotary Club, and a member of the Friendship Senior Center at Harrisburg. He was also a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels in the Harrisburg area. While living in the Harrisburg area he attended Penbrook Grace United Methodist Church.
A friend to everyone, he was always interested in the well being of others and an excellent conversationalist. As an AA sponsor, Bill greatly influenced many people and helped them retain their sobriety. Bill gave freely of his time, talent, and personality to special needs scouting programs, and was often referred to affectionately as “daddy” or “pappy”, receiving countless hugs of appreciation for his freely giving of himself. As he struggled with his illness, his faith grew immensely, and his testimony of God’s Grace under pressure became very clear to all he came in contact with. He had many interests including being a card shark and thoroughly enjoying playing cards at hours on end, but cherished family time above all other things.
Surviving Bill in addition to his wife are four daughters, Brenda Kay Hess and her husband Stan of Coudersport, Sharon Sue Trick Immel and her husband Chris of New Cumberland, Vickie Lea Breon and her husband Steven of Aaronsburg, and Betsey Ann Witherow and her husband Daniel of New Millport; one son Dennis W. Sweeney of Diamondhead, MS; nine grandchildren, Jeremy Breon, Travis Trick, Nicholas Hess, Olivia Hess Retallack, Caitlin and Shelby Sweeney, Mikayla and Matthew Ebeling and Zachary Witherow; four great grandchildren, Joplin, Sitara, Arrow and Drake; and two sisters, Betty Dutrow and her husband John and Polly Brooks and her husband Daniel all of Centre Hall; one step daughter Carolyn Shaw of Weatherford, TX; one step son David Kepner of Harrisburg, PA; six step grandchildren, and eight step great grandchildren.
Friends will be received from noon to 2:00 p. m. Friday, July 13, 2012, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service P. C. 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p. m. at the funeral home with the Reverends Richard Feeser and Jamie Retallack his grandson officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Zion Cemetery, Zion.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Boy Scout Troop 269 C/O Sharon Immel, 66 Springers Lane, New Cumberland, PA 17070; or to Friendship Senior Center, 5000 Commons Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17110.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com