Charles W. Colman, Jr.

On September 1, 2024, Charles Wilson (Bill) Colman Jr left this world comfortably surrounded by family.

Bill was born on August 27th, 1939, in Urbana Illinois where he spent his childhood along with Sanbornville New Hampshire, Oxford Mississippi, and Lincoln Nebraska.   He went to Penn State University at State College PA, graduating Economics in 1961. He turned this into this a long career in Information Technology before IT was IT.  He joined the Army and served from 1962 to 1965. 

Bill’s life was forever changed in 1961 when he watched a beautiful girl walk down the stairs of her nursing school dorm, to meet him for their blind date.  He could not believe his further good fortune when that same girl, Nancy Lee Heiges, agreed to marry him in 1963.  The “fun loving bums” started their lives together in Kaiserslautern Germany, and later lived in Harrisburg PA, Albany NY, Washington DC, Raleigh NC and Asheville NC.  Along the way, they had two children, Charles Colman III and Laurie Colman. 

Bill’s other passions included working with youth and coaching/playing sports.  He developed positive relationships mentoring underprivileged kids; he led the church youth group, encouraging teens to explore their ideas and beliefs; and he inspired all ages as a soccer coach for 20 plus years.  He, himself, continued to play soccer and basketball into his 60s. 

Bill faced his greatest challenge late in life, caring for his beloved wife as she was gradually stolen away by the heart wrenching disease, dementia.  He became her extra-ordinary care giver.

Bill is pre-deceased by his wife and survived by his son and daughter.  A service will be held at the Givens Estates Chapel on Saturday September 7th at 1:00 followed by a small reception. A grave side service at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Dillsburg, PA will be held on September 14th at 12:00.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (curealz.org) or World Vision (worldvision.org).