William L. Clingensmith

William L. “Wild Bill” Clingensmith, 89, a well-known Chicora resident and longtime community leader, passed away Tuesday morning, July 3, 2018 at his home while surrounded by his adoring family.

Born in Donegal Township on November 13, 1928, William was the son of the late Charles and Dorothy Maxine Craig Clingensmith.

Bill attended Frederick’s School in the village of Goosetown.  He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and Korea. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW Posts in Chicora.  He was a life member of the Chicora Fire Dept. and had served the department in many capacities including president and vice-president.  Bill had more than 70 years of service with the fire department at the time of his passing was the department’s longest serving member.  He was a well-known caller at the fire department’s Saturday night bingo at the town hall.  He was a long time member of Chicora Borough Council and had served as council president for many years.  He had also served as president and vice president of the Witco Credit Union.  In his earlier years he worked as a coal miner and house painter.  Bill retired in 1993 from the shipping department at Witco Chemical after 42 years of service. Following his retirement Bill enjoyed gardening, traveling, riding his golf cart around town, playing cards, and the company of family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Vera Ann Ritzert Clingensmith, whom he married in Pittsburgh on July 1, 1954.  Mrs. Clingensmith passed away on May 12, 2006.

Bill was a devoted and beloved husband, father, grandpa and big grandpa.  Surviving is a son, David Clingensmith and his wife, Roxanne; three daughters, Barbara McElravy and her husband, Gregg, all of Chicora, Teresa Veith and her husband, Michael, of Butler, and Linda Clingensmith and her husband, Kevin Daly of Crafton; his grandchildren, William and Charles Clingensmith, Courtney Ingram, Darby and Cody McElravy, Joshua, Ashley, and Zachary Veith; twelve great grandchildren, David and Ethan Clingensmith, Tealey and Tobie Ingram, Taylor, Grayson and Landon Clingensmith, Liam Veith, Isabella and Hunter Hammond, Wyatt and Paisley Veith; a sister, Dorothy Daniels and her husband, Michael, of Ormond Beach, FL, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Bill enjoyed the company of his friend, Mona.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Bacher and a brother, Donald Clingensmith, as well as a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and nieces.

Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Rd., Chicora from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday.  A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Brown, a retired pastor, officiating.  Military and fire department honors will be accorded at the funeral home.  The fire department will conduct a memorial service at 5:45 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be beside his wife at Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Chicora Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box F, Chicora, PA 16025 or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William L. Clingensmith, please visit our floral store.