William (Bill) Bartges, 88, of Laurel Lane, Kersey, PA passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on Saturday January 7, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

He was born January 22, 1934 in Mt. Jackson, PA, son of the late Harry and Mae (Huffman) Bartges.  He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 1955 and travelled the globe solving customer issues and building relationships as the Technical Service Manager for the Carbon/Graphite Group (formerly Airco Speer).

On September 6, 1958 in Export, PA, Bill married C. LaVerne (Hostetler) Bartges who survives.  They were blessed with 64 years of marriage; three children:  Harry (Elaine) of Memphis, TN, Charles (Marcia) of Bradenton, FL, and Brenda (Brett) Giles of Atlanta, GA; and eight grandchildren:  Kevin (Jessica), Hannah (Andrea), Tessa (Dakota), Andrea (Will), Katie, Emma, Megan, and Claire.  He was preceded in death by his sister Marie (Bartges) King.

An avid, lifelong Penn State fan with football season tickets for almost 50 years, Bill rarely missed a home game and travelled to many away and bowl games.  Although he would “never leave until the game was over” (regardless of the weather), he loved tailgating just as much.  Family, friends, and random strangers delighted in his abundant hospitality, storytelling, sing-alongs, and frequent cheers of “WE ARE….”.  He was a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association, St. Marys Quarterback Club, and Shiloh Presbyterian Church.

Proud to be an American yet humble about his service in the United States Army, he valued education, providing for his family, and quietly practicing his faith.  He enjoyed camping, fly-fishing, horseracing, and golfing with “The Retreads” (even before they earned the name).   He made strangers into friends, and friends into family wherever he went.

Family was Bill’s top priority and he never missed a chance to gather with them, usually driving long distances to do so.  Snowbirding was not just about the weather, but about living with, and being a part of the fabric of his expanding family’s lives.  His fun loving personality lit up every room he was in, and made even the best of times better.  The twinkle in his blue eyes as a crooked smile crossed his face usually meant something exciting was about to happen and will be deeply missed.

Funeral services will be held at the Shiloh Evangelical Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Scott Wiest, officiating.  Private burial will be in the Centre County Memorial Park.

Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again on Friday, January 20, 2023 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM.

Memorials, if desired, can be made to the Shiloh Presbyterian Church, 217 Washington Street, St. Marys, PA  15857; The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX  75284-0692; or the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.