William "Bill" Marlin Fye, 79 of Centre Hall, died Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center at State College, PA
He was born June 15, 1925, in Colyer, a son of the late Charles E. and Blanche Reiber Fye.
In 1952 he married Shirley Mae Zong of McVeytown, PA who preceded him in death on April 4, 1974.
Mr. Fye graduated from Centre Hall Potter High School in 1943 having played baseball and basketball for the school. On May 27, 1943 he was inducted into the U. S. Army Air Force and served until December 21, 1945. He served as a navigator and a bombardier earning the rank of Lieutenant. While in the service he attended Wittenberg College in Ohio and training at Childress Air Force Base in San Antonio,TX., for flight officer and navigation training. After World War II, he went on to attend the Pennsylvania State College now known as Penn State University, School of Finance and Commerce, graduating with a degree in accounting.
Following college he worked as an accountant for Luthersburg Telephone Company in Luthersburg, PA. Later he entered a partnership with Allegheny Construction installing utility poles. As a branch of Allegheny Construction, he went into the appliance business with a franchise for Frigidaire and Zenith products and a franchise for Wheel Horse lawn and garden equipment. In 1954, he opened Fye's Frosty Cup at Old Fort, operating that business until his retirement.
He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Centre Hall, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1600, of Boalsburg, Old Fort Free and Accepted Masonic Lodge # 537 in Centre Hall, The Centre County Shrine Club and the Williamsport Consistory, The Scottish Rite, and the American Legion Post 779, at Old Fort.
Mr. Fye enjoyed many types of sports including softball and baseball having played for several local teams in the 1940s. He was an avid bowler who bowled in several leagues for many years. Gardening, fishing, and playing golf were some of the other pastimes he enjoyed.
He is survived by one daughter, Marla Jane Mothersbaugh and her husband Douglas of Colyer; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Joni Mothersbaugh; one sister Wally Josephine Fix, of Colyer; one brother, Charles Curtis Fye of Colyer and his companion of several years, Nancy Guseman of Centre Hall. In addition to his parents and wife, three sisters, Theresa Hager, Alice "Sue" Jordan, and Leona Young preceded him in death.
Friends will be received from 6 - 9 p. m. Friday, June 10, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA, where Masonic services wil be conducted by members of Old Fort Lodge # 537 at 9:00 p. m. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a. m. Saturday, June 11, 2005 at the funeral home with the Rev. Dan J. Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery, West Church St. Centre Hall, PA.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the William M. Fye Sports Scholarship Fund at Penns Valley High School, C/O Business Manager, 4528 Penns Valley Road, Spring Mills, PA, 16875 or to the Foundation at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, 1800 E. Park Ave. State College, PA 16803. A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.