William J. "Bill" Forbes

STEWARTSTOWN - William (Bill) Forbes, 79, surrounded by his loving family, lost his courageous battle with Covid Pneumonia on July 21, 2023, at York Hospital.

Bill is survived by his wife Sue (MacKenzie) Forbes, children Amy Forbes (Jeff Kateley), Kerri Forbes (Bill Reiss), and Abby Williams (JJ), stepchildren Scott Stevens (Jackie), Marci Almes and Debbie Williams (Dave). Also surviving are sisters Carol Druck (Phil) and Deborah Forbes, sister-in-law Teresa Forbes, brother-in-law Dick MacKenzie (Jean), seventeen grandchildren, one great-grandson and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill’s former wife and mother of his children, Audrey Forbes, is also surviving.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother Mildred (Moffitt) Forbes, father Roscoe Forbes, brother Jerry Forbes, niece Kiersten Forbes and son-in-law Gary Almes.

Bill was born on February 17, 1944, in Mineral Wells, Texas, but was soon relocated to York County, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation from Dallastown High School, Bill earned his B.S. in Health Science from Loch Haven University, his M.A. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Maryland.

Bill treasured his 42 years at Towson University, where he served for 30 years as a Professor and Coach, followed by 12 years as an Administrator. He was instrumental in the development of and served as Director for both the Towson University/St. Joseph Medical Center Lifeworx™ Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and the Towson University Wellness Center.

Motivated by his enterprising spirit, Bill refurbished an old sewing factory into a multiuse building suitable for offices and small businesses. The Factory, in Shrewsbury, remains in operation today under new ownership. Intrigued by land development, Bill went on to create two new single-family communities, Kohler Estates in Red Lion and Orchard View in Manchester. Following his 2010 retirement from Towson University, Bill was inspired to buy, renovate, and resell townhomes and condos, performing much of the work himself.

However, the piece of real estate that Bill loved the most was his home, which he shared with his wife for 34 years. Home became the foremost gathering place for holiday celebrations, family activities, and two weddings, including his own. Although Bill enjoyed increased traveling during his retirement, he was happiest at home. He loved working on and around his home over the years, including designing and expanding the family room and master bedroom, building a deck and patio from scratch, enhancing the landscaping, and maintaining the upkeep of his various vehicles. There were very few things that Bill was unable to build, fix or figure out.

Bill so enjoyed his annual family vacations at Summer Place in Bethany Beach, Delaware, beginning in 1988. He was a member of the Summer Place Board of Directors since 1990 and served as Vice President of the Board for most of those years.

Bill was genuinely personable in any setting, had a wonderful sense of humor and the most endearing smile. He was entirely devoted to Sue, his wife and soulmate, and their blended family, but grandkids were his greatest joy. His unconditional love knew no limits for Braulio, Brooke, Chase, Elena, Hayley, Jordyn, Julio, Justin, Laura, Lily, Mason, Nayeli, Priscilla, Rebecca, Riley, Sebi and Shea.

Bill will be sorely missed but will live on in the hearts of everyone whom he loved and who loved him. A celebration of Bill’s life is being planned with details to be announced later.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held 11 AM on September 23, 2023 at Grace Fellowship Church, 74 E. Forrest Avenue, Shrewsbury, PA 17361.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill's memory to Friends of Lantern Hill, 1907 Buckington Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Online donations can be made at www.friendsoflanternhill.org or by the way of Venmo or PayPal.

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