It is with great sadness that I report the loss of our dear friend and one of our founding members, Bill Fillings. Bill not only was on our Board of Directors, he was one of the charter members of the Post and was an active member despite his failing health. His devotion and dedication to the Post was legendary, and he worked very hard to keep the Post going through some of our most difficult times.

From his obituary on the Charles F. Snyder website:

Jay William Filling, 86, of Millersville, died on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster County Essa Flory. Born on April 10, 1925, Bill was the son of the late Frank F. and Kathryne (Taylor) Filling. Bill is survived by his wife, Kathryn “Kitty” Dechant (Hauck) Filling. Bill and Kitty are members of Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Lancaster.

Bill graduated from Penn Manor High School and Millersville University. Bill also attended the University of Kentucky, where he was a star basketball player.

Having served our country as an Air Force cadet beginning in 1943, he was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1945.

Bill started Filling’s Clothing Store, a division of Filling’s, Inc., in 1948. He was a devoted businessman and spent his entire working career building the family business, now being run by the third generation. He retired as President in 1995.

Bill was a charter member and past President of the Lancaster Sertoma Club. He served on the Hempfield Zoning Board and Hempfield School Board, serving two years as President. He also served on the Board of Directors of Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Directors of Lancaster County Council of Boy Scouts; the Board of Directors of Wyomissing Savings and Loan; and the Board of Directors of the Millersville VFW, where he was a charter member. Bill was a member of the Harrisburg Royal Order of Jesters; the Harrisburg Zembo Temple; and a 50 year member of the Charles M. Howell Masonic Lodge as a 32nd degree Mason. He also was a member of the Slumbering Groundhog Lodge of Quarryville and the ROMEO’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out).

Bill was also a member of the Hamilton Club, Conestoga Country Club, Tanglewood Golf Club, and Millersville Lions Club. He played competitive basketball and enjoyed skiing and playing golf for many years.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife of 60 years, Kitty, and his children and grandchildren: Linda and her children, Ashley and Chase Johnston; Bill, Jr., wife Tara (Donohue), and their children, Morgan and Tyler; Jay, wife Mary Beth (Aichele), and their children, J.J., Lindsay, and Katie. He is also survived by siblings Frank Filling, Jr.; Mary Klemmer; Richard Filling and wife, Barbara; Kay Strayley; and James Filling and wife, Linda. He is preceded in death by siblings Betty Echterling and Albert Filling. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial Service on Monday, September 26, 2011 at 11:30am at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3131 Columbia Ave. Lancaster, PA with the Rev. Richard Jorgensen officiating. Visitations with the family will held on Sunday from 4-7pm at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 3110 Lititz Pike and again at the church on Monday from 10:30-11:30am. Interment will be private in the Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard and the Vet-21 Salute Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Lancaster Sertoma Club to benefit The Long’s Park PO Box 1061 Lancaster, PA 17608 or Hospice of Lancaster County 685 Good Dr PO Box 4125 Lancaster, PA 17604 or online at www.hospiceoflancaster.org in appreciation and gratitude for their unwavering support and kindness. To send the family an online condolence please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100

Our condolences go out to his wife Kitty, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family.

We are saddened to learn of the loss of long-time member Tony Miller. Tony was an active member of the post and often helped at our ceremonies and events. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts are with his family.

From his obituary in the Lancaster Newspaper:

Leroy “Tony” Miller, 63, of Holtwood, died unexpectedly on Sunday morning, July 31, 2011. Tony was, among other things, a Vietnam Veteran, recipient of a purple heart, an aluminum worker, a family man and the partner-in-crime of an oversized German Shepherd. He was also the devoted father of four lucky children and the stepfather of two others who never felt the distinction. He was the husband of Eileen Miller, a woman who justifiably felt there was no more compassionate soul to be found. He brought joy, humor, and earthy wisdom to everyone he touched.

Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late John and Dorothy Stumpf Miller. He resided in nearly every neighborhood of town, before moving to the country to find a quiet place to raise a family. Tony was a past-president of the Otter’s Club and an active member in the Millersville VFW.

Tony liked to drink cold beer. He was fond of cooking Sunday dinners, especially those that included pork, sauerkraut and other German fare of his own invention. Much to the chagrin of relatives invested in professional sports, Tony was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, cruises, gambling, carpentry, hunting, fishing and being outdoors in summer heat. He would do anything for you.

Perhaps more than anything he’ll be remembered for his laugh, an infectious sort of belly laugh that ended in a high-pitched wheeze, and, if properly stoked, the most genuinely joyous tears. Luckily for those who survive him, he was a man who laughed loud and often.

In addition to his wife, Tony is survived by his children, Gary W. Miller of Alabama, Tonya wife of Russ Sexton of Mountville, Michele wife of Matt Sipel of Holtwood, Kimmie D. Miller of Wilmington, DE, Amanda wife of Orlando Cruz of Lititz and Matthew Johnson of Lancaster. Also surviving are his four brothers, Gene Miller of Columbia, Chet Priest, John Miller, and Paul Miller, all of Lancaster; a sister, Dottie Wittlinger of Lampeter; and nine grandchildren, Brandon, Chaya, Jorden, Mercedes, Emily, Hunter, ZJ, Parker and Charlee. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gladys Novack.

Tony’s Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at The Groffs Family Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 528 W. Orange Street (at the corner of Orange & Pine Sts.), Lancaster at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Taylor officiating. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in Tony’s name to The Vietnam Vet Memorial Fund, 2600 Virginia Avenue, Suite 104, Washington, DC 20037.