Commissioner William Edgar Ames, 81, of Annville, an educator, leader, servant, and patriot died on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon.
He was born on Sunday, Jan. 21, 1940, in Waltonville, to the late William and Mary (Reed) Ames. He is survived by his loving wife, Josephine (Szot) Ames, with whom he shared over 40 wonderful years.
Raised by hardworking parents, Bill was taught woodworking and encouraged to learn industrial arts and trades. Bill earned the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Hershey High School in 1957, where he served as student council president and was voted most likely to succeed. He attended Hershey Junior College and earned his undergraduate and graduated degrees from Millersville State Teachers College. He taught at Hershey High his entire career, served as assistant athletic director, wrestling and track coach, president of HEA for two terms, and earned PA industrial arts teacher of the year honors in 1966. He was co-owner of Ames & Lucas Construction Company and Ames & Lucas Hardware in Hummelstown during his teaching career.
Following retirement from teaching in 1996, Bill was full-time COO of Ames Services and did not slow down, serving as South Londonderry Twp. Supervisor for six years and Lebanon County Commissioner for nearly 10 years. He was a member of Brownstone Lodge No. 666 F&AM of PA and was a 32nd degree Mason. With a servant’s heart, he was on the boards of The Salvation Army of Lebanon, Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, Visit Lebanon Valley, Lebanon Valley Expo Center, Campbelltown Community Alliance, Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation, United Way of Lebanon County, Building Service Contractors Association International, and County Commissioners Association of PA.
Bill enjoyed spending time with his family at his home on the Chesapeake Bay in Charlestown, MD. He had a passion for boating, collecting antique boats, and was Past Commodore of the Charlestown Yacht Club. In every aspect of his life, Bill lived by the motto: “God, family, and country.” He will be dearly missed by his loving family and all who knew him.
He is survived by three children, Douglas Cheyney, and wife, Julie, of Palmyra, Audra Doherty, of Yardley, and Mark Cheyney, of Landisville; seven grandchildren, Joey Venezia, Brandon Cheyney, Jared Cheyney, Meredith Doherty, Lucas Cheyney, Carson Cheyney, and Joseph Doherty; two great-grandchildren, Payton and Paisley Venezia; three siblings, Winnona Glasby, of Berwick, Wesley Ames, and wife, Donette, of Hummelstown, and Wanda Hebert, and husband, Raymond, of Palmyra; and his faithful K9 companions, Stas and Zoey.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078, with Lieutenant Marlon Rodriguez officiating. Burial will follow in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra. Family and friends are invited for viewing on Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. until the time of a Masonic service at 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service. A period of food and fellowship will follow burial in the celebration room at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to The Salvation Army of Lebanon PA, 1031 Guilford St. (P.O. Box 1109), Lebanon, PA 17046, or Lebanon County Christian Ministries, 250 S. 7th St., Lebanon, PA 17042. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.finkenbinderfamily.com.
