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William Batdorf

The campus community mourns the passing of William Batdorf, who died on Tuesday, December 18.  He retired from Facilities in 2010, after more than 22 years of service to Bucknell.

Included below is the complete text of the obituary, as provided by the family. Services in his memory were held in December.

You are encouraged to visit our In Memoriam Site at bucknell.edu/InMemoriam and share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.

On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to William’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.

John C. Bravman
President

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William R. Batdorf Jr., 70, of Watsontown, passed away on Dec. 18, 2018, at The Williamsport Home in Williamsport.

He was born May 11, 1948, at Evangelical Hospital, Lewisburg, a son of William R. Sr. and Ruth L. (Cromley) Batdorf. William married Cindy (Treibley) in 1973 in Lewisburg. They were happily married for 45 years.

William grew up in Watsontown and graduated from Warrior Run High School in 1966. After high school, he joined the Army in 1968 in the Engineer Corp and served for four years. He was stationed in Germany, Fort Hood, Texas, and Pleiku, Vietnam. He was released from active duty in 1971, achieving the rank of Specialist 5. He was on inactive reserve status from 1971-1975.

During his lifetime, William worked for numerous companies including Jasper Wood Products, Watsontown Brick Company, Montgomery Mills, Ceco Corp, Preston Trucking, ACF, Watsontown Borough and Warrior Run School District. He retired from Bucknell University in May of 2010. He liked to say it only took him 23 years to graduate.

William was a member of the American Legion Post 323 for 50 years, White Deer Central Railroad Club and National Railroad Historical Society. He was also a lifetime member of the Warrior Run Area Fire Department (Watsontown Fire Department). During his 47 years with the fire department, he served as firefighter, captain, lieutenant, EMT and fire police captain.

His later years were enjoyed spending time with his furry granddaughter Izzy and railroading with trains big and small as well as hunting, fishing and camping in his younger days.

William is survived by his wife, Cindy L. (Treibley) Batdorf; two daughters, Kristie (Kenneth) Healy and Ellen Batdorf; nieces, Natasha and Tara Batdorf; great-niece, Kyrie Persun; and great-nephew, Oliver Persun.

William was preceded in death by his son, William R. Batdorf III; his father, William R. Batdorf Sr.; his mother, Ruth L. (Cromley) Batdorf; two brothers, Dennis and Jeffery Batdorf; and one sister, Cleta (Batdorf) Waltman.

The family will be greeting friends and relatives from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 20, at Brooks Funeral Home and Cremation Svcs, PC, 124 Main St., Watsontown. His funeral service will be held at noon Friday, December 21, at Watsontown United Methodist Church, 1319 Eighth Street Drive, Watsontown, with the Rev. Ryan T. Krauss officiating.

Burial with military and fire company honors will follow in Watsontown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Warrior Run Area Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 8, Watsontown, PA 17777; the Watsontown American Legion Post 323, 1016 Main St., Watsontown, PA 17777; or the White Deer Train Club.

Visit www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com.

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