William Walter (Bill) Shimmel Sr., 83, of Clearfield passed from this life on Monday, April 2, 2018 at Penn Highlands Dubois Hospital.
On March 1 he celebrated 66 years of marriage to his wife, Sandra H. (Robb) Shimmel. She survives.
He was born May 13, 1934 on the Shimmel Farm in West Decatur, the son of the late Morris William “Tuck” and Iola Mae (Knepp) Shimmel.
He graduated from the Philipsburg High School and attended the Penn State School of Agriculture.
He was a professional salesman throughout his life in various markets, finishing his career as general manager for Fullington GMC.
In his retirement years, he worked part-time as an account manager for Kirby-Smith Associates. He also drove school bus for Fullington Bus.
He was a long-time member of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church, where he served in a number of ministries over the years, including trustee, deacon, elder, youth group leader and Steven Minister.
In addition to his wife Sandy, he is survived by seven children, Victoria L. Miller of Cheriton, Va., Douglas G. Shimmel (Carol), Valerie D. Shaw (Ronald), Jeffrey D. Shimmel and Donald C. Shimmel (Cindy), all of Clearfield, David M. Shimmel (Paula) of Montoursville, Pa., and Vanessa L. Martin (Larry) of Valrico, Fla.
His eldest son, William W. Shimmel Jr., (Susan) of Clearfield, preceded him in death in 2016.
He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren along with two sisters, Lenora Gail “Putch” Shimmel of Osceola Mills and Diane C. “Skip” Twist (William “Twiddles”) of Philipsburg.
He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Nellie Shimmel of Niagara Falls and Maxine Shimmel of Bigler and four generations of nieces and nephews and close cousins, Nesta and Wallace Kephart and Cleo Fleck.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Helen Hipps (Betts), Irene Conaway (Katie), Elda Morgan (Dib), Lois Jones, (Tiny), Phyllis Millinder (Dee) and brothers, Morris (Jack), Harold (Dob), Harry (Dink), Raymond (Frog) and infant brother, Dennis.
Public visitation will be held from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday at the Clearfield Presbyterian Church. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Memorial Fund of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church or to the Red Cross Bloodmobile, to which he was a long-time contributor of blood.
The Chester C. Chidboy Funeral Home Inc. of Clearfield is assisting the family.