William "Bill" Koehler

William “Bill” Koehler died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at his home in Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, surrounded by family and friends.

Bill was born on March 17, 1932, the son of the late Milton and Virginia Koehler of Harrisburg. He graduated in 1950 from John Harris High School, where he played varsity football and track, and went on to receive a B.S. degree in geology from the University of Oregon in 1954.

He and his wife of 61 years, the former Rosalie Irene Buck of Clearfield, raised a family at their home in Camp Hill and traveled widely. They visited all 50 states, Canada and Mexico as well as several European countries, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and Okinawa. They were longtime members of the Church of the Good Shepherd and Bill was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 10685. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing.

After college, Bill served as a U.S. Air Force officer on active duty and in the Air Force Reserve for 37 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. From 1958 to 1992, he worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, where he was appointed as engineer of tests and helped plan and build Interstate 81.

He was a good husband, father and grandfather. Surviving in addition to his wife are son William Jr. and his wife Barbara of New Albany, Indiana; daughter Renee Jackson and husband Peter of Etters; son Michael and wife Sharon of Carlisle, as well as eight grand-children and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother.

Bill will be remembered Monday at a 1:30 p.m. visitation and 2:30 p.m. memorial service at Parthemore Funeral Home in New Cumberland.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. Additional information is available at http://hospiceofcentralpa.org/donations_memorial_gifts.php.

For more information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.Parthemore.com.