Obituaries

William K. Ebel, Jr., 92

November 02, 2024

William K. Ebel, Jr. died on November 2, 2024, at the age of 92, in Lancaster, PA. Bill resided with his wife, Marilyn Sanko-Ebel at Brethren Village. He was an active member of Highland Presbyterian Church.

He was born in Baltimore, MD on October 29, 1932, to William Kenneth Ebel, Sr. and Florence Sherck Ebel. He grew up on a farm in Maryland where he gained a love of plants from his mother.

Bill attended McDonough School near Baltimore, and in 1954 graduated from the College of Agriculture at Cornell University (Animal Husbandry) with the desire to become a beef cattle farmer. While in college, he joined the ROTC program and upon graduating was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Air Force. After earning his wings as a multi-engine pilot, he was stationed for the 18 months in Goose Bay, Labrador.

Bill began working for Sperry New Holland as a field service tech in 1957-58 in the upper Great Plains area. After leaving the company to get his MBA at the University of Virginia (1960), he returned to work at New Holland for 32 years. He held several department manager positions in the company.

In 1963, Bill joined the Conestoga Valley Association Board, which dealt with environmental issues in Lancaster and sparked his interest in community involvement. Starting in 1985 he served with the following community organizations: Chesapeake Bay Monitoring Program, Lancaster County Parks Board, Lancaster County Conservancy.

Upon retirement in 1992, Bill’s second career began when he was free to serve more fully in the community. He was a Manheim Township Commissioner from 1992-1999. He served on the Lancaster Intermunicipal Committee, the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and was on the board of directors at Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority Board of Directors for 15 years. In 2000, Bill was the co-founder of the Little Conestoga Watershed Alliance. In 2003 he joined the Coalition for Smart Growth. He was also a dedicated member of the Lancaster HourGlass. Bill was honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021 from Lancaster County Planning Commission.

Bill and Marilyn ran the Gardens of Eden Bed & Breakfast out of their home on Eden Road along the Conestoga for 18 years. Bill found great joy in sharing their three acres of wildflowers and his extensive knowledge of native flora with all who visited.

Bill has a passion to learn, make things happen, and work with people who were committed to restoring the natural environment. Among his most rewarding achievements was being involved with the conversion of the CVA trail to the Conestoga Greenway. Bill’s passion was centered in restoring our natural areas. He believed that education and human ingenuity can restore natural systems in service of the well-being of our planet. Bill was an avid naturalist with a wealth of knowledge in botany and ornithology.

Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marilyn; his children, William K. III (Janet), Jenny (Mike) Hartigan, Bruce (Suzi); and Marilyn’s children, Steve (Rita Clement) Sanko, and Bohni (Ray) Becker. Bill is also survived by 17 grandchildren from his blended family: Alex, Maura,

Jake, Cari, Calder, Grace, Emilia, Hudson; Trev, Kara, Josh, Jenna, Andra, Alyssa, Amanda, Nicholas, and Ryan; 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Bill is additionally survived by his former wife, Carolyn Ebel.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Lydia Andersen.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11AM at Highland Presbyterian Church, 500 East Roseville Road, Lancaster, PA. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 10AM to 11AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s name to Lancaster County Conservancy, 117 S. West End Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 or online at www.lancasterconservancy.org.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page

Condolences to the Family

November 27, 2024

Dear Ebel Family,
I am sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. His contribution to the larger Lancaster County community will be appreciated for generations. Thank you, Bill for all you have done.
Molly Henderson

November 23, 2024

Dear Marilyn and family,
My prayers are with you as you mourn Bill. He was a caring man who was able to educate and lead others in the ways of caring for the environment around us.
Bill and Marilyn introduced me to Chautauqua. On those long drives for our wonderful week stay, we had the best preview and review of our shared experience. I am so thankful for those times together.
With love,
Margaret Cook

November 23, 2024

November 22, 2024

I have know Bill from days when his children swam for Skyline Swim Team and then later as he and Marilyn ran Garden of Eden B&B. When he was committed to something, he put his efforts fully into it. His smile when I’d see him at Highland over the years was warm and friendly. Prayers for the family and Marilyn in the days ahead. Thankful for knowing him. – Marijean Long

November 12, 2024

Bill was a delightful gentleman who brought positive energy to all the many lives he touched. Thinking of you dear Marilyn and all family members.
Victoria L. Mowrer

November 10, 2024

Marilyn,
Bill was an amazing man. His devotion to his community cannot be overstated. I was fortunate to work with him for years protecting our forests and streams. I will miss his humor and devotion to making the world a better place. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Kate Gonick

November 09, 2024

Thinking of you Marilyn, love Susan and Alan

November 07, 2024

Marilyn.
Lyndon and I are so saddened to hear of the passing of Bill. Please know that you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if there is anything that you need. Carol Thompson

November 07, 2024

Dear Marilyn and family. My heart goes out to you as you grieve and cope with Bill’s death. Although you must feel fortunate to have had him with you for so many years, his death leaves a hole in your heart s and a void in your lives. However, Bill will continue to live in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew and loves him. I am fortunate to have met him several times. He was quite an accomplished man and contributed to our world and to your community on many levels. Most of all he was a good man. Sending my condolences and love, Nancy Wilson, Elizabeth’s mom

November 06, 2024

Dear Marilyn and family,
It truly saddened me to learn of Bill’s passing.While we have lost touch of late, I will forever remember Bill’s passion for nature, conservation, and support of others through politics.If ever there is a deserving individual, I would love to see Bill Ebel, Jr’s name on a park, trail, and/or outdoor setting in Lancaster County for his love, knowledge, support, and considerable work in preserving and promoting nature in Lancaster County. I can recall with a vivid memory and smile, Bill and you visiting our 2-acre woodland and home in Manheim Township to learn we had non-native schrubery on our property. Oh my, I turned to Midge and shared that we have some work to do. Walking your bed and breakfast landscape only made me envious and aware.
I wish you and your family the very best with fond memories of your Bill.
Rick Kinder, Lititz

November 05, 2024

Marilyn;
I was very sad to read of Bill’s passing. He was someone who represented the best in human beings. He cared deeply about his community and nature. I looked up to Bill as someone thoroughly knowledgeable of nature, and always committed to doing the right thing. He had character. I will miss him. I will be out of state for the memorial but I will pause to think especially of him on that (and later) dates. A life very well lived.
Mike Flanagan

November 05, 2024

Dear Marilyn and family,
We are saddened to read of Bill’s passing. We enjoyed chatting with him when he stopped by Backyard Birding Company. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Mark Wilkerson and Anne Marcarelli

November 05, 2024

Thank you Bill for your long career of service.
Blessings
Sid Marland

Visitation: Saturday, November 23, 2024; 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM; Highland Presbyterian Church; 500 E. Roseville Rd; Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >
Services: Saturday, November 23, 2024; 11:00 AM; Highland Presbyterian Church; 500 E. Roseville Rd; Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions: Get Maps and Directions >