Obituary for Dr. William R. Davidson
Dr. William R. Davidson, 85, of Pottsville passed away Monday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital with his children by his side. He has joined his beloved wife Ruth in the arms of the Lord.
Born on September 17, 1936 in Clementon, NJ. He was the son of the late William R. and Eleanor Nora (Kelly) Davidson.
He obtained a Doctorate and Masters of Education from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. and a Bachelor degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
Through the years, Bill had a very extensive list of accomplishments and positions. He was a Spanish teacher in Woodbury, NJ; Assistant Principal in Pitman, NJ and also president of its teacher association. He was a graduate teaching associate at Temple University; Principal of Pottsville Area high school for 3 years; Superintendent of Pottsville Area School District for over 20 years; Interim Superintendent at Shenandoah School District for 1 year; Interim Superintendent at Pine Grove Area School District for 2 years; Supervisor of student teachers at Penn State – Harrisburg; Coordinator of M.Ed. program for teachers at Penn State – Schuylkill and taught graduate courses for Temple, Widener and Penn State.
Bill was also a very dedicated and active part of the Pottsville Community. He was a Director on the Pottsville Area school board for 12 years; President of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 school board for 1 year; Board of trustees for Alvernia University; Board of directors for First Federal Bank; President of the board of trustees of Pottsville Free Public Library; Chairman and member of the Pottsville Salvation Army; Past President of the Pottsville Rotary Club; President and campaign chairman of the Schuylkill United Way; Steering committee member of the Schuylkill County Comprehensive Plan; Vice-chairman of the Pottsville Bicentennial Committee; Board member of the Schuylkill YMCA; Board member of the Benevolent Association (former children’s home); Chairman of Pottsville City Civil Service Commission; Pottsville City Fair Hiring board; Hearing officer for the Schuylkill County Housing Authority; National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame Committee; Allen-Rogowicz PA Sports Hall of Fame board member.
Bill was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, where he served as an Elder and adult Sunday school teacher for many years. He also proudly served as Captain in the US Army Reserves.
Bill’s greatest joys were attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events and spending time at the family cabin in Leraysville, PA. He was also a very avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Stanford University football.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Younger) Davidson who passed away in 2017 and to whom he was married for 56 years.
Bill is survived by daughters Mary Ella, wife of Brian Hallick of Pottsville; Deborah Ruth wife of William Orlowsky of Pottsville; and a son James Kelly Davidson, husband of Linda of Zionsville, PA. Grandchildren Bradley Davidson Hallick, husband of Kate; Meghan Ruth Hallick; Alyssa Brianna Davidson and Aaron James Davidson. Great grandchildren William Carter Hallick and Gabriel Alexander Mohl.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 25 at 11 am at the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville with Pastor Jim Shields, officiating. A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville and on Friday morning from 10 am until time of service in the church. Interment will take place on Saturday March 26 at 12 noon in Neath Cemetery, Warren Center, PA. The procession will leave Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. promptly at 9:15 am, the public is welcome.
The family requests memorial contributions, in memory of Bill, be sent to Pottsville Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St. Pottsville, PA. 17901 or to the Dr. William R. Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Pottsville Rotary Charities, PO Box 1313, Pottsville, PA 17901 (make checks payable to “Pottsville Rotary Charities” and note Dr. William R. Davidson Scholarship Fund in the memo line).
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. www.lordbixler.com
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Born on September 17, 1936 in Clementon, NJ. He was the son of the late William R. and Eleanor Nora (Kelly) Davidson.
He obtained a Doctorate and Masters of Education from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. and a Bachelor degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA.
Through the years, Bill had a very extensive list of accomplishments and positions. He was a Spanish teacher in Woodbury, NJ; Assistant Principal in Pitman, NJ and also president of its teacher association. He was a graduate teaching associate at Temple University; Principal of Pottsville Area high school for 3 years; Superintendent of Pottsville Area School District for over 20 years; Interim Superintendent at Shenandoah School District for 1 year; Interim Superintendent at Pine Grove Area School District for 2 years; Supervisor of student teachers at Penn State – Harrisburg; Coordinator of M.Ed. program for teachers at Penn State – Schuylkill and taught graduate courses for Temple, Widener and Penn State.
Bill was also a very dedicated and active part of the Pottsville Community. He was a Director on the Pottsville Area school board for 12 years; President of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 school board for 1 year; Board of trustees for Alvernia University; Board of directors for First Federal Bank; President of the board of trustees of Pottsville Free Public Library; Chairman and member of the Pottsville Salvation Army; Past President of the Pottsville Rotary Club; President and campaign chairman of the Schuylkill United Way; Steering committee member of the Schuylkill County Comprehensive Plan; Vice-chairman of the Pottsville Bicentennial Committee; Board member of the Schuylkill YMCA; Board member of the Benevolent Association (former children’s home); Chairman of Pottsville City Civil Service Commission; Pottsville City Fair Hiring board; Hearing officer for the Schuylkill County Housing Authority; National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame Committee; Allen-Rogowicz PA Sports Hall of Fame board member.
Bill was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, where he served as an Elder and adult Sunday school teacher for many years. He also proudly served as Captain in the US Army Reserves.
Bill’s greatest joys were attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events and spending time at the family cabin in Leraysville, PA. He was also a very avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and Stanford University football.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Ruth (Younger) Davidson who passed away in 2017 and to whom he was married for 56 years.
Bill is survived by daughters Mary Ella, wife of Brian Hallick of Pottsville; Deborah Ruth wife of William Orlowsky of Pottsville; and a son James Kelly Davidson, husband of Linda of Zionsville, PA. Grandchildren Bradley Davidson Hallick, husband of Kate; Meghan Ruth Hallick; Alyssa Brianna Davidson and Aaron James Davidson. Great grandchildren William Carter Hallick and Gabriel Alexander Mohl.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 25 at 11 am at the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville with Pastor Jim Shields, officiating. A viewing will be held on Thursday evening from 6-8 pm at the Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville and on Friday morning from 10 am until time of service in the church. Interment will take place on Saturday March 26 at 12 noon in Neath Cemetery, Warren Center, PA. The procession will leave Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. promptly at 9:15 am, the public is welcome.
The family requests memorial contributions, in memory of Bill, be sent to Pottsville Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St. Pottsville, PA. 17901 or to the Dr. William R. Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Pottsville Rotary Charities, PO Box 1313, Pottsville, PA 17901 (make checks payable to “Pottsville Rotary Charities” and note Dr. William R. Davidson Scholarship Fund in the memo line).
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements. www.lordbixler.com
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