Alfred Watkins "Bill" Castle III

Alfred Watkins “Bill” Castle III, 82, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania was called home to be with the Lord on November 8th, 2025. 

   Bill was born in Chardon, Ohio to Alfred W. Castle Jr. and Dorothy H. Castle (Hultzapple) on February 13th, 1943. He moved to the family homestead “Castle Crest” in 1946. Bill attended Cumberland Valley High School where he was known as “Al”, graduating in 1962. He played football and was a member of the FFA. 

   He joined the Army National Guard in 1964 before an honorable discharge in 1965. Bill loved hunting and trained his own hunting dogs. He began his career in police work in 1966 as a deputy sheriff and in 1967 was appointed as a police officer in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He established Lower Allen’s first canine unit, was a training officer and the public relations officer. 

   In 1973 Bill accepted the position of Chief of Police of Carroll Township Police Department, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. During his tenure at Carroll Township, he established their canine unit, handling K9 Mic, then K9 Misty, who was one of the first narcotics detection dogs East of the Mississippi. He retired as Chief of Police from Carroll Township in 1992.

   His talent and passion for dog training led Bill to open Castle’s K-9 in 1972, incorporated in 1982. During the 30 plus years of running the business, Bill trained well over 500 canine teams worldwide to include an explosive detection team for the Kennedy Space Center, the Royal Bahamas Police, and numerous K-9 teams for the United States military.

   Bill served as a master trainer for the North American Police Work Dog Association in the areas of patrol, narcotics, explosives, and cadaver dogs. He also served as NAPWDA’s president. Bill additionally was a founding member and served as president of the Pennsylvania Police Work Dog Association. 

   His commitment to a life of service was recognized by the American Legion for bravery, the House of Representatives for bravery and exceptional service, the Pennsylvania State Senate for bravery and exceptional service, Governors Thornburgh and Casey for exceptional service and a letter from former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, for personal commitment to the war on drugs in schools.

   Honoring his local roots, Bill dedicated himself to his community serving five terms as Monroe Township Supervisor from 1994 to 2023; the longest serving supervisor to date. 

   Bill‘s heart for public service influenced numerous family members to follow in his footsteps to include his son A.W. Castle IV, US Army CW4 (ret.), son Corporal Peter V. Castle, North Middleton Police Department, daughter Corporal Laura M. Tamanosky (Castle), Lower Allen Township Police Department, and his grandson, Colin V. Castle, Cumberland County Prison Corrections. 

   But many who knew Bill personally knew more than his heart for law-enforcement, they knew his heart after Jesus. Bill knew Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and proclaimed this without hesitation. He prayed over, for, and with many of his family and friends to which he is most joyously remembered.

   Surviving is his beloved wife of 58 years, Cynthia L. Castle (Frick), children A.W. Castle IV and wife Lori S. Castle, Peter V. Castle and wife Heather L. Castle, Laura M. Tamanosky (Castle) and husband Richard J. Tamanosky II. Grandchildren Colin V. Castle, A.W. Castle V, Michael A. Castle, John A. Castle, step-grandchildren Haley M. Tamanosky, Richard J. Tamanosky III and Travis V. Tamanosky and step-great-granddaughter Sophia L. Scherer.  Sisters, Penelope D. Ginter (Castle) and husband Rick Ginter and Pamela S. Wilcox (Castle). He is preceded in death by sister Patricia J. Wilson (Castle).  

    A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Thursday, 13th November 2025 at Cocklin Funeral Home, 30 N. Chestnut Street, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held at Crossroads Bible Church 1022 York Rd, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania on Friday, 14th November 2025. Visitation will take place from 9-11 AM with the service starting at 11 AM. Burial at Mt Zion Cemetery, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania will take place at 1 PM and a luncheon will be held after burial at Crossroads Bible Church at 2 PM. 

   In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill’s name to New Hope Ministries, P.O. Box 448, Dillsburg, PA 17019 or his Church, Crossroads Bible Church, 1022 York Rd, Dillsburg, PA 17019.