Rev. William K. Berry, I, 83, of Mifflintown went home to be with the Lord at 4:25 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at his home where he passed away peacefully. He was a member of the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church. Bill was married to his late wife Marilyn for 56 years.
Bill is survived by his children; Elizabeth Melhorn and her husband Verlyn of Selinsgrove, William Berry II and his wife Sandra of Middleburg, John Berry and his wife Michelle of Mifflintown, Deborah Royer of Selinsgrove, 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Bill was born on September 16, 1934 in Altoona, Blair County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Berry and Irene (Lytle) Runk, his siblings, Dan, Jim, Albert, Luke, and Judith, all of Altoona and a great grandchild, Jacob Melhorn of Selinsgrove.
Bill was a proud U.S. Army veteran having served during the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1956.
Bill was a faithful servant of Christ and dedicated his life to the ministry. In the early 70’s, he was a leader in Community Action in Ashville, PA; owned and operated a transmission shop, was a truck driver, and worked in a foundry. He became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator all while finishing his college education with a MBA and PhD. Bill and his wife Marilyn were willing to take risks through entrepreneur endeavors; Kleen Mist Car Wash, American Collision Service, and Berry’s Personal Care Center.
Bill was revered in the community and many sought out his advice and counsel. He was caring, compassionate, generous, reliable, and a great problem solver. He was a proven leader and a faithful Sheppard in God’s flock pastoring in Blandburg Brethern in Christ, Susquehanna Valley Brethren in Christ, and Mowersville Brethren in Christ. During his time in ministry, he served 28 years as the Treasurer of Camp Freedom in St. Petersburg, FL and at the time of death, he was serving as a Trustee at his current church.
A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 from the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis L. Ritchey officiating, where the Juniata County Veteran’s Council will accord full military burial honors. Interment will be in the Blair Memorial Park, Altoona.
A viewing will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. with family present from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Rev. Berry’s memory to the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church, 148 Leonard Lane, Oakland Mills, PA 17076.