Obituary of William Coleman

William (Bill) Bernard Coleman, born May 17, 1925, died January 28, 2014. A long time resident of State College, PA, Bill finally let go of a long rich and cherished life last week.

Born in Connecticut and raised in New York City, Coleman served as an infantryman in the 28th division in WWII, was captured twice and made a prisoner of war three times in Nazi Germany. After the war, Bill graduated from the Pennsylvania State University majoring in English.

In 1951 Coleman opened his first photographic portrait studio in State College PA. For more than three decades, he crafted his signature portrait sessions with thousands of residents, families, and business leaders in the Central Pennsylvania region. His body of work, spanning more than sixty years, has been exhibited at the National Press Gallery in Washington D.C., The Pennsylvania State House, Wolfson College at Oxford University, UK, B.A.S.F Gallery in Frankfurt, Germany and others. His work with the Amish is recognized and celebrated as the foremost photographic documentation of the Amish that has ever been done.

Bill is survived by his daughter Nina Davis of Spring Island SC, son Noah Coleman, son-in-law Justin Wheeler of State College PA, grandson Tomasso Piccirilli of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, niece Carol Meschkow of Plainview, NY and cousin Judy Kirsch of NY, NY. Bill enjoyed deep and long lasting friendships with many who outlived him and some who didn't.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Clinic for Special Children in Strasburg, PA. and/or please take a picture of something that makes you happy and share it at the upcoming memorial for Bill. Memorial date and location to be announced.