Will Smith Arburn

YORK - Will S. Arburn, 89, died April 25 at his home after a short illness. He was the husband of the late Dorothy I. (Rother) Arburn to whom he was married for 53 years. Will was born in Chicago, IL, the son of the late Will S. and Jennie (Strasser) Arburn. He was a graduate of Wabash College in 1949, where he played football and majored in philosophy and psychology. During World War II, he served as a Naval aviator, flying Hellcats, Bearcats and other fighter planes. Following the war, he was a reservist in U.S. Naval Intelligence. His love of flying continued well after the war, and for several years he was the proud owner and pilot of a Mooney Mark 21 aircraft. Following that, he bought and rode a BMW 750 motorcycle. He spent most of his working life as a fundraiser for charities. He was retired as the operating vice president of the United Ways of Allegheny County and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he served as the executive vice president of the United Way of Greater St. Louis. He also was director of development and improvement for Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI. Following his retirement, he and Dot, until her death in 2000, traveled widely, enjoyed friendships, and played golf. Will also volunteered in York for the Service Corps of Retired Executives, also volunteered as a golf course rater, and was a proud member of Silver Sneakers exercise group. If Will loved the Navy, he loved his family more. He is survived by a son, Brett Will Arburn, of Crozet, VA; a daughter, Dr. Beth Arburn Davis, of York; son-in-law, Gerry Davis, also of York; a grandson, Justin Arburn Davis, of York; and a great-grandson, Hunter Augustus Arburn Davis, of York. He is also survived by a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Konrad and Barbara Rother of Chicago, IL, and beloved nieces and nephews across the country and in Europe. Will was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy McLain who lived in Denver and M.J. Brizzolara who lived in Chicago. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Innisfree Village, a non-profit, life sharing community in Crozet, VA, that provides care for physically and mentally disabled adults. There will be a celebration of Will’s life at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 6th, at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York. Interment will be private at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.