William Ward Probst

William Ward Probst, 86, of Dillsburg passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Camp Hill.

    He was born July 4, 1937, in Williamsport, PA the son of the late William Benjamin and Mary Helen (Kunes) Probst.

    William was the widower of Rebecca (Waltz) Probst.

    He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Lycoming College and his Master’s Degree from Bucknell University. 

    William was a public-school teacher in the Williamsport school district teaching American and world history.  He then had a short-term job selling medical equipment to hospitals within the state. For the majority of his career, he worked for the Department of Community Affairs in Harrisburg as the senior trainer for the Commonwealth where his function was to disseminate federal and state laws and regulations from those entities and teach their implementation to every municipality and the local level governments in the state.   Post retirement, he enjoyed working in customer service at Davis' Agway in  Mechanicsburg.

    His interests were varied.  He was a historian and subsequently led many tours of the Gettysburg Battlefield. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, bicycle and motorcycle touring, taking care of his property, and participating in music. William was an expert decoy carver and model circus builder. Always a dedicated family man, the last few years of his, life he lovingly cared for his wife, Rebecca, during her illness. 

   William was a member of the Grantham Brethren in Christ Church, where he served as Head Usher and the Otter Run Fish and Game Club in Carsontown.

    William is survived by a son, Matthew C. Probst of Shiremanstown; a daughter, Molly Susannah Shortridge of Dillsburg; two sisters, Carmen Kohr (Richard) of Mechanicsburg, Elaine Probasco (Virgil) of Trout Run; two grandchildren, Gracie Shortridge of Baltimore, James Shortridge of Carlisle; nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

    All friends and family are invited to the Celebration of Life Service on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 12:00 pm, followed by a luncheon at Grantham Brethren in Christ Church, 421 Grantham Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA. (Internment will be in the Grantham Memorial Park at 11 AM for family members).

     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to “The Otter Run Fish and Game Club”, and sent to ORC Treasurer, Chip Todd, 2012 Blackbird Circle Audubon, PA 19403. 

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