1923
Bernard
2017
Bernard MacWilliams
March 25, 1923 — December 28, 2017
Bernard J. MacWilliams, 94, of Chambersburg, passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Menno Haven. Born on March 25, 1923 in Ridley Park Hospital (Philadelphia, PA), he was a son of the late Thomas J. MacWilliams and Olive Grady MacWilliams. He was married to Jane E. Hoover MacWilliams on April 5, 1947. She preceded him in death on August 23, 2013.
A 1942 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School, Bernie served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II, first for 3 years as an electronics technician aboard the USS Holland AS-3 in the Pacific Theatre. Following those duties he served 3 more years aboard the Destroyer USS Samuel N. Moore DD-747, which patrolled in the Western Pacific, to places such as Tsingtao, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Korea, Hawaii, and all west coast ports on the U.S. Pacific border. He retired as a Maintenance Management Specialist at Letterkenny Army Depot on January 1, 1980, with 32 years of service.
A member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, he was also a life member of the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 and the BPOElks Club 600, both in Chambersburg. His other memberships included the Burt J. Asper American Legion Post 46, Hume McNeil Byers AmVets Post 224, Catholic War Veterans, the Marine Corps League, Cumberland Valley Hose Co. No. 5, Tin Can Sailors, Inc., AARP and NARFE. His interests included studying Navy history, exploring his family heritage, and his lifelong passion for woodworking.
Surviving are four children, Barbara Ann (Allan “Skip”) Jennings, Kirk J. (Debra) MacWilliams, all of Chambersburg, James B. (Sonja) MacWilliams of Coltons Point, MD, and Brian T. (Karen) MacWilliams of Chambersburg; 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Aside from his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 4, 2018 in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave. Chambersburg with The Very Rev. Luis Rodriguez V.F. officiating. Interment will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery, where members of VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard will conduct military graveside honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd in the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road Chambersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Church at the above address.
A 1942 graduate of the former Chambersburg High School, Bernie served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II, first for 3 years as an electronics technician aboard the USS Holland AS-3 in the Pacific Theatre. Following those duties he served 3 more years aboard the Destroyer USS Samuel N. Moore DD-747, which patrolled in the Western Pacific, to places such as Tsingtao, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Korea, Hawaii, and all west coast ports on the U.S. Pacific border. He retired as a Maintenance Management Specialist at Letterkenny Army Depot on January 1, 1980, with 32 years of service.
A member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, he was also a life member of the Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 and the BPOElks Club 600, both in Chambersburg. His other memberships included the Burt J. Asper American Legion Post 46, Hume McNeil Byers AmVets Post 224, Catholic War Veterans, the Marine Corps League, Cumberland Valley Hose Co. No. 5, Tin Can Sailors, Inc., AARP and NARFE. His interests included studying Navy history, exploring his family heritage, and his lifelong passion for woodworking.
Surviving are four children, Barbara Ann (Allan “Skip”) Jennings, Kirk J. (Debra) MacWilliams, all of Chambersburg, James B. (Sonja) MacWilliams of Coltons Point, MD, and Brian T. (Karen) MacWilliams of Chambersburg; 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Aside from his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 3 sisters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 4, 2018 in Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 320 Philadelphia Ave. Chambersburg with The Very Rev. Luis Rodriguez V.F. officiating. Interment will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery, where members of VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard will conduct military graveside honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3rd in the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road Chambersburg. Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Church at the above address.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bernard MacWilliams, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
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Thursday, January 4, 2018
Corpus Christi Catholic Church
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Just off I-81, exit 16, 1/4 East of I-81 on Rt. 30; turn on Falling Spring Rd.; funeral home is on the left after 1/4 Miles.
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