OBIT: Charles H. BILL, 1940, of interest in Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
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CHARLES H. BILL

Grantsville, Maryland

  Charles H. Bill, one of Grantsville's most widely known and prominent 
citizens, died at his home here about 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, January 
17th.  He had been in failing health for about a year and had been confined to 
his bed for the past eleven weeks, suffering from chronic myocarditis, which was 
the cause of his death.
  During his illness, according to his wife, physician and nurses, he was a 
model patient, always more mindful of them than of himself.  Whenever he was 
permitted to have visitors, he always greeted them with a smile, although he was 
not allowed to talk much.  His mind was alert and clear until the last.  On the 
afternoon of his death, he had expressed a wish as to what he would like for his 
evening meal, and during the few minutes that his wife was out of the room 
making the necessary preparations, he passed quietly away.  Although there was 
no hope for his ultimate recovery, his sudden death was a distinct shock to his 
family and friends.
  Mr. Bill was eighty years of age, but appeared much younger because of his 
alertness and activity.  He loved to work around his home, keeping the grounds 
neat and attractive.  He was born in Grantsville, November 19, 1859, a son of 
Charles and Margaret Barbara Hammon Bills, who were among the early settlers of 
Garrett County.  They came to this country from Bavaria, Germany, and were 
married at Cumberland, Md., in 1853.  Charles H. Bill spent his early life here 
and as a young man went to Wisconsin.  He engaged in the retail shoe business 
for a number of years, first in Milwaukee and later in Racine.  During his 
residence there he became a member of the Royal Arcanum Lodge, Racine Council 
220.
  Mr. Bill was twice married.  On September 23, 1886, he married Miss Rachel 
Bonig, who died January 17, 1890, the same day of the month as her husband, just 
50 years later.  On August 6, 1893, he married his first wife's sister, Miss 
Nettie Bonig, who survives.  There were no children by either marriage.
  Thirty-two years ago Mr. Bill retired from the shoe business and returned to 
his native village.  For a time after his return he was associated with the late 
Peter Nathan in the lumber business.  Later he retired from active business 
altogether and built a new and substantial residence here which he was able to 
enjoy during his declining years.
  Mr. Bill, like his father, a one time magistrate, was active in the civic 
affairs of the community.  He served two terms as mayor about 20 years ago, and 
was a notary public for 22 years.  He also served this community as registrar of 
vital statistics for many years.  He was one of the few residents who could 
recall events and conditions as they were 50 or 60 years ago.   He always took a 
keen interest in all things that appeared to him to be in the best interest of 
Grantsville and Garrett County.  He was scrupulously honest and just in all his 
affairs.  He was a man of unquestionable integrity, clean habits and his 
character was above reproach.  Mr. Bill was usually very plain spoken and was 
never afraid to express his convictions for whatever he thought to be the right.  
Too, he could always be depended upon by those whom he called his friends.  In 
the death of Charles H. Bill, this community has lost one of its finest and most 
substantial citizens.
  In addition to his widow, Mr. Bill is survived by one sister, (Mary) Mrs. John 
A. Fraser, of Berkeley, California; a nephew, Wilson Bill, Grantsville; two 
nieces, Mrs. Harry Chandler, Westfield, N.J., and Mrs. Goodloe Jackson, 
Cumberland, Md.  One niece and four nephews in Keyser, W.Va., also survive.  One 
sister, Louisa Bill, and five brothers, John, Frank, George, Henry and Andrew, 
have passed on before him.
  Funeral services were conducted at the Bill home at 2 o'clock Saturday 
afternoon, January 20.  Rev. Samuel D. Sigler, pastor of the Grantsville 
Lutheran Church, officiated and read passages from several very impressive and 
appropriate poems, among them being "There Is No Death" and Walter Foss' "The 
House by the Side of the Road."  From the scriptures Rev. Sigler chose all of 
the Twenty-Third Psalm and extracts from Psalm 130 and John 14: 1-6.  The 
Miller-Yoder quartet sang several hymns.  Interment was in the family lot in the 
Grantsville Cemetery, under the direction of Stanley M. Thomas, Salisbury, Pa., 
mortician.  Pallbearers were J. Urban Stanton, Harvey Gortner, Stewart Rodamer, 
Charles S. Zeller, George W. Diefenbach and Adam A. Hanft.
  Among those from out of town who came to pay their last respects were Mr. and 
Mrs. Frank W. Peterson, Rockford, Mich.; Mrs. Harry Chandler, Westfield, N.J.; 
Mrs. Goodloe Jackson, Mrs. Sara R. Getty, Cumberland; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Zehner, 
Pittsburgh; W. S. Livengood, Harrisburg, Pa.; Mrs. Nelle Zeller, Frostburg; Mr. 
and Mrs. H. A. Bonig, Mt. Savage; Mr. and Mrs. William A. Petry, Salisbury, Pa.; 
Mrs. Esther Bill Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Bonig, Miss Jeannette Bonig, 
Charles Bonig, Jr., Cumberland; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Pope, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil 
Michael, Long Stretch.

Meyersdale Republican, January 25, 1940