William R. Loew, 93

January 07, 2018

William R. (Bill) Loew, 93, of Lancaster, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the Mennonite Home. Born in Tamaqua, PA he was the son of the late Edgar W. and Emily R. (Focht) Loew. He was husband of the late Helen V. Loew who passed away in 2009.
Upon graduating from Tamaqua High School, William attended the former Williamson Trade School for Machinist training. After completing one (1) year of trade school, he joined the US Navy to proudly serve his country during WWII. William was stationed in the South Pacific theatre campaign, in the Naval Air Recon division. The plane he flew on was a B-24 Liberator (called PB4Y-1 in the Navy). Bill was an airplane mechanic and the belly turret gunner during flying missions. William and the crew received several commendations from the US Navy for flying dangerous missions over enemy territory where the aircraft was hit with enemy fire. Upon discharge, Bill returned to Williamson Trade School where he graduated as a machinist.
William met the love of his life in his own home town of Tamaqua, Pennsylvania the day he was discharged from the Navy. Helen V. Ede was working in an Ice cream shop he visited his first night home and immediately caught his attention. Helen and Bill were married in 1949 and shared 60 happily married years together until Helen’s passing in 2009. Their family and friends observed that Helen and Bill were an excellent example of a truly happy marriage. They made it look easy!
William was employed by the Permutit Company on Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster for 34 years starting in 1954 where he was General Foreman until the company closed and he retired in 1988.
William was a loyal and longtime faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Lancaster. He raised his family attending St John’s and he served the church in many ways including committees, church council and in other capacities from 1954 until recently.
He was a true family man and always enjoyed taking photos and videos of the many gatherings the family had. William loved talking, sharing stories and photos of his earlier years, especially sharing the memories of his time in the military. After retirement Bill kept very busy. He was a member of the “Silver Threads” travel club where he served on committees and club officer positions including President for several years and stayed very active at church. He also stayed busy on his computer continually honing his skills and upgrading his equipment. He loved making birthday cards for family and friends on his computer incorporating photos of that person and their family.
He is survived by a daughter, Kathy “Kate” Dickson wife of James and a son, Kent Loew husband of Jeanne, both of Lancaster. Also surviving are six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren; a brother, John H. “Jack” Loew husband of Marjore of Charlotte, NC and a host of loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Internment will be private and at the convenience of the family. Family and friends will be received from 10-11AM at the funeral home on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, contributions in William’s memory may be made to Grane Hospice, 1200 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to Masonic Village Hospice, 1 Masonic Dr, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.