William Bill Pickelner

WILLIAMSPORT- William "Bill" Pickelner, passed away peacefully at home in Williamsport on Thursday, December 11, 2008. He was born of Russian Jewish immigrants Phillip and Anna Pickelner in Williamsport on September 14, 1914. He married his wife Sara on March 21, 1935, and they remained happily wed for more than 69 years. Sara was sorely missed after her passing in December 2004. She was Bill's guide, counsel and partner throughout his professional career. Bill and Sara lovingly raised two sons, David and Steven. Throughout the boys' lives, Bill was an active participant in their sporting activities, taking on the role as team coach and teacher. The family enjoyed many travel adventures and outdoor activities within the United States and abroad. The addition of two grandchildren into the family, Aaron David and Sophie Mae Pascale, brought great joy to Bill, and he was the ever doting ᙡydeeᬍ Bill was an active and faithful member of the Congregation Ohev Sholom, serving as a past president, and he also served as a past president of B'nai B'rith Lodge, a Jewish philanthropic organization that helped children. He started his company Pickelner Coal Co., with his father in 1932, and later added Pickelner Fuel Co. Bill continued working until his passing. Bill loved people. He never turned anyone away who needed help. Through this motivation and caring, many capital campaigns benefiting charitable groups have been assisted by his leadership and enthusiasm. He served as campaign chairman and past president of Lycoming United Way. Other fundraising projects he assisted with included: the United Jewish Appeal, Lycoming College, the Williamsport Hospital, the School of Hope, the Pennsylvania College of Technology, the Salvation Army, Divine Providence Hospital, the Williamsport Home and the YMCA. He was the major force behind the new arena at the YMCA, which now bears his name. Bill was a member of numerous boards of directors, which included the Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Center (formerly the Bethune-Douglass Community Center), past president of the American Cancer Society local chapter, trustee of Lycoming College, Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation, Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center, Lycoming United Way, Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and a lifelong trustee of Lycoming County, Brotherhood County, USA. Bill Pickelner became a member of the Board of Directors of the Williamsport Grays in the mid-1930's. He had been a former batboy for the 1923 Grays. He continued his ties with baseball throughout the establishment of the Bowman Field Commission in 1957, of which he was a member and its chairman. He also owned and operated the Williamsport Billies Basketball Team of the Professional Eastern Basketball League from 1947 to 1964. As a result of his extensive community service, he was bestowed with many honors. These include the 1963 Grit Award for Meritorius Community Service, the Brotherhood Award by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Volunteer of the Decade from the American Cancer Society, Distinguished Citizen Award in 1990 from the Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America, in 1992 the Williamsport-Lycoming Foundation's award for Public Service, in 1994 the Shema Yisrael award for community work and support of Israel by the Central Pennsylvania Committee for the State of Israel Bonds. Bill's crowning glory of his professional life came in 1995 when he was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, Degree, from Lycoming College, for his distinguished service to education and to all mankind. William Pickelner is survived by his son Steven and wife Tracy, and grandchildren Aaron and Sophie of Fort Collins, CO, sister-in-law Jean Sykes of Albany, NY, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son David (1993) and wife Sara (2004). The funeral service for William Pickelner will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, December 14, 2008 at the Congregation Ohev Sholom Synagogue at the corner of Cherry and Belmont Streets (across from Cochran School). Burial will follow in Ohev Sholom Cemetery, with his spiritual leader Rabbi Mac Portal officiating. In keeping with Jewish tradition, there will be no visitation and no flowers. The Allen & Redmond Funeral Home, Inc. 331 Elmira Street, Williamsport, PA has been entrusted with the arrangements.