William A. Leiby, age 79, of Sherwood Village, Bloomsburg, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Columbia Montour Home Hospice.
Bill was born on Saturday, July 7, 1934 in Danville the only child of the late Harry A. and Margaret Berninger Leiby.
As a 1952 graduate of the Catawissa High School, Bill was a member of the Catawissa High School Band. He later graduated from Bucknell University where he was a member of the Bucknell Marching Band. Also Bill played the tuba with the Catawissa Military Band and enjoyed participating with that group for many years.
After graduating from college and serving with the US Army, Bill began a career in the insurance industry that took him to northern New Jersey, where he and his family lived for 42 years. During his years in New Jersey, he was instrumental in helping form the Highland Lakes Fire Dept. where he is a past president.
After retiring as an Account Executive for PA Post Agency in 2000, Bill spent 5 years as a guide for the Sterling Hill Zinc Mine in Franklin NJ. It was a job that gave him great enjoyment. Bill and his wife enjoyed traveling and through the years saw many states and oceans. Bill was always ready to go and explore. Getting lost always proved to be a great adventure. He was especially happy if his adventures allowed him to see a train station, a train or a trestle/viaduct.
Bill was always interested in the world around him. His special interests were: the Civil War (having a relative in the Battle of Cedar Creek), antique cars (1958 Studebaker Golden Hawk) and trains. He belonged to the Sussex County Train Club of New Jersey and after moving to Bloomsburg in 2005, the Lower Anthracite Model Rail Road Club where he enjoyed many hours of running and working on trains.
Bill will be greatly missed by his wife: the former Louise Troy, whom he married on June 29, 1963; two daughters: Jennifer Neal and husband, Ron, of Franklin NJ and Janice McLean and husband, John, of Dingmans Ferry PA; five grandchildren: Sean, Ryan, Hannah and Justin Neal and Larissa McLean.
A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday afternoon, May 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg. The Elysburg Lodge #349 will provide Masonic services at 3:20 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc.
Funeral services will also begin on Saturday morning, May 17 at 3:30 p.m. from the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. Bloomsburg with Pastor Lisa Mitchell of the Catawissa United Methodist Church, officiating. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in the Hillside Cemetery, Catawissa. A combined group of VFW/American Legion will provide full Military Honors.
If anyone would like to remember Bill, just ride a train. Memorial contributions are suggested to Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave. Suite 200, Bloomsburg; the Lower Anthracite Model Rail Road Club 210 East Independence St., Shamokin 17872; or the Highland Lakes Fire Dept. 813, Canistear Rd. Highland Lakes NJ 0742
The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Leiby family.