William A. "Bill" Baumgartel

William A. “Bill” Baumgartel, 85, Duncansville, passed away Wednesday evening at his home.

He was born in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, son of the late Merle and Martha (Hunter) Baumgartel. On Sept. 9, 1956, he married Olla Ann “Rusty” Horton in First Lutheran Church, Altoona.

Surviving are his wife with whom he shared nearly 61 years of marriage; three daughters: Pamela in New Mexico, Jill Shoemaker and husband, James Jr., of Quentin, and Peg Anderson and husband, Morgan, of Rosalia, Wash.; a son, William E. “Chip” and companion, Jen, of Stafford, Va.; five grandchildren: Ian, Sierra, Jamie, Josiah and Kurt; eight great-grandchildren: Ruth, Rose, Rowan, Hope, Owen, Wyatt, Avery and William; and four sisters: Jane, Sandra, Carol and Diana.

Bill was a 1949 graduate of Deer Lake High School, Cheswick, and he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education at Penn State University. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict, teaching land and sea survival to air crews.

“Mr. B.,” as he was known, retired as an industrial arts teacher for Altoona High School after 32 years of service.

He was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Duncansville. He was past president of Eldorado Kiwanis; a member of Hiram Lodge No. 616, F&AM; Scottish Rite, Valley of Altoona; Jaffa Shrine, where he was active in Oriental Band and served as a Potentate's Aid; past president of the Blair County Guild of Craftsmen; a juried member of the PA Guild of Craftsmen; a member of Hollidaysburg Sportsmen's Club; a Penn State Master Gardner; and he served as an Allegheny Township supervisor for 16 years.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, camping and woodworking.

After retirement, Bill and his wife began Blueberry Hill Treenware, carving and selling wooden kitchen wares. They enjoyed demonstrating at Kutztown Folk Festival, People’s Choice Festival, a Fair in the Park and others. Bill also demonstrated woodworking at Fort Roberdeau.

At Bill's request, there will be no viewing. A memorial service will be held at a later date with military honors provided by the Blair County Veterans Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Sorge Funeral Home Inc., Hollidaysburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, or to Evangelical Lutheran Church 1200 4th Ave, Duncansville, PA 16635.

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