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William Maher Obituary
ARMY SPC. WILLIAM J. III, 35, of Yardley, PA; assigned to the Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Ray Barracks, Germany, was killed when he was injured by an improvised explosive devise while traveling in a convoy on July 28, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq; almost six months to the day from his offical Army discharge, Jan. 23, 2004. Devoted son of Willimam J., Jr. and Adeline (DiRienzo) Maher; grandson of Marion and the late Felix DiRienzo and Amelia and the late William J. Maher, Sr.; and brother of Kelly A. (Daniel) Massimini and Bryan M. Maher. Relatives and friends are invited to share in Billy's Life Celebration Tuesday from from 5-9 PM and also Wednesday from 9 -10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 752 Big Oak Rd., Morrisville, PA, where his Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM. Interment will follow in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ. Memorial contributions sent to William J. Maher III Scholarship Fund, C/O Conwell Egan Catholic High School, 611 Wistar Rd., Fairless Hills, PA 19057 would be appreciated by his family. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the SWARTZ GIVNISH FUNERAL HOME of Newtown. "A Life Celebration Home"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Maher
Charlie Gili
October 8, 2020
Hello,
We realize that we are very late to express our deepest condolences, but we wanted to let your family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this week and several of these will be dedicated to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and hometown of William J. Maher III US Army Specialist.
We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community, their families and friends and others who support our mission.
We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of our US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign
Peggy Childers
July 26, 2012
July 28, 2012
To the family and friends of Spc. William J. Maher:
Always remembering William. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
July 28, 2011
To the family and friends of Spc. William J. Maher:
Please accept my remembrance of William on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Denise
July 27, 2011
Remembering Bill this week on the anniversary of his death. To his family, I hope you have found peace in knowing he touched so many hearts. Its been over a decade since Bill was a part of my life, but my heart still goes out to you...he paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation and that should not be forgotten.
"Deeds Not Words, Bill"
Greg Popielarz
June 21, 2011
Timothy Cannon
February 3, 2011
Old Man, you will always be missed.
I had the honor of knowing, and serving with SPC Maher. He was a great man. His memory shall always live on with The Spartans.
To his friends and Family, my condolences.
SPC Cannon, Timothy.
"Deeds not Words."
Henry Miller
February 2, 2011
I did not know your son or friend at all and have no direct connection. I just received my high school newsletter this evening and decided to leaf through the pages. It listed the "giving donors". I have never donated to my HS, for no apparent reason. However I noticed his name and wondered who this "fund" was was honoring. I was alone and decided to look up his name with his HS (Egan) in Google. I arrived at this site. I began to read his obit and then the remembrances. I am not too proud to say I wept. The reality is we are connected, every one of us. That could be me or my child. Instead his life celebration was held at the church I attended growing up. And we attended the same HS. We are all interconnected. In the morning, I will be contributing to his scholarship fund, because you his family requested it, and that is good enough. It is the least I can do, for someone who selflessly volunteered to do what many of us are unwilling to do. Thank you.
Peggy Childers
July 28, 2010
To the family and friends of Spc. William J. Maher:
Remembering William on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Peggy Childers
July 28, 2009
To the family of Spc. William J. Maher:
William gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
In Memory of William ~ (Debra Estep)
July 28, 2008
Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.
The Wind on The Downs
“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”
(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )
Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….
“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”
I did not know William, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Other Side
i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.
can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.
i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side
the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)
“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008
The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol
Sincerely,
Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB
Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55
Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b
maroc lombardozzi,SFC USA Ret
March 5, 2008
To the family of Spc. Maher, Wm. J. my heartfelt thoughts and prayers that our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ will help you as you experience the loss of one of America's heros. To Spc. Maher Thankyou. Now you join that long line of American Heros, I salute you.
February 9, 2008
Never forgotten.
Rest easy.
Patrick Potts
October 5, 2007
I can't forget Bill. There is not a day I don't think of him. We were together in 1-36 IN. We worked together for 1SG Johnson and just before we left i got assigned to A-Company. Serving with him, just being around him was an honor. He always had been the in place motivator. Jokes were his secondary MOS. We had things in common, age was a big one. He came in later than average just like me, so was one of the rare comrades that understood WHY. I am on my 3rd tour right now and I've seen a lot. I believe without him as one of my guardian angels I would not survived all the time out here in Afghanistan. I am sorry that it took me so long to write this. But every time I think about him I can't hold back my tears. He has been a soldier, friend and brother. I will never forget him
" The war came, we went, he was gone - but he will stay eternal in everybodies heart - for those that knew him "
SSG Patrick Potts
August 5, 2007
I don't pretend to know what to say or do that would bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.
Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.
I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON (KIA on 07/06/07) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.
REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)
Len Parry
July 25, 2007
I served with Bill in Germany, we were part of the same platoon.I miss swapping stories and tastycakes and snowboarding with Bill. He will always be remembered and missed.
April 23, 2007
My own father, William J. Maher, Sr. shares the same name as your loved one. Also, my precious son is to be deploy to Iraq very soon.
Perhaps for these reasons, I feel your loss deeply. I look in the eyes of this lost hero and I might as well be looking into the eyes of my own loved ones. May God continue to bath you in His peace as your healing continues.
Rev. Elizabeth B.
Gary Allain
March 9, 2007
Spc. William J. Maher
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.
January 8, 2007
My sympathy to his family and loved ones. I am so sorry - it has been so long since he has left you. May his memory sustain you.
Tana Wilkerson
August 29, 2006
I would like to say that I knew Bill in Germany. He was an extrodiary friend. He is deeply missed. My husband had served with Bill we actually had the same tour. I know that the mortors from HHC 1-36 still think of Bill every year.
Debbie Mandell
August 4, 2006
As you continue to grieve the loss of your son across the years, may you find comfort from the support of family and friends and the knowledge that your country will never forget what you son has done so that we can all be safe and free.
Garnet Jenkins
July 28, 2006
Remembering Spc. William J. Maher, on the anniversary of the day he gave his Life for our country. With a Multitude of Thanks for his service, may you rest in God's Mighty hands and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
May God's Grace and comfort, continue to be with the Maher family.
From the sister of a Fallen young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam. KIA~1967.
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose...
All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us."
- Helen Keller-
Tom Gugliuzzas-Smith
December 17, 2005
My heartfelt sympathy to the Maher family in the loss of your dear son. brother, and hero William. I did not know William, ( I lived in the Easton/Bangor PA area 52 yrs.) but my heart is broken and I am sadden for your loss of such a fine person. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers.
I send each of you a hug from my heart. It has been over two years since losing William, but he is still remembered.
Love and Peace
Tom
To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~
Millie Ramos
August 22, 2005
My heart goes out to your entire family in the loss of your son.
I ask God everyday to bless all our military and the families that they have left behind to fight for our freedom. They are men and women who will always hold a special place in my heart. They are our heros. May you feel God's arms around you at this difficult time and may he give you all the strength needed to deal with you great loss.
Dee Winnals
August 5, 2003
I am the aunt of PFC Joseph Clarke whom your son befriended as they both were from the Philly area. I know that Joe found your son/brother to be a friend in an unfriendly area of the country they both were stationed in. Please know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers and well as all the soldiers fighting this war. Your son/brother has made this country proud. Thank you for his service to us all.
Sincerely,
Dee Winnals
Beth
August 4, 2003
I am the mother of PFC. Joseph Clarke who is in the 1-36 Inf. (Scout Platoon). I was deeply saddened when my son called from Iraq last Monday to tell me of the death of his friend and fellow soldier. My son felt close to your son since they were from the same area (we are originally from Bucks County and Philadelphia). He said they had so much in common and so much they could talk about. The death of Spec. Mayer has really touched my son.
Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers at all times and Spec. Mayer will never be forgotten.
August 3, 2003
I just came across Mr. Maher's obituary and wanted to express my deepest sympathy to his family.
We thank Mr. Maher for his brave service on behalf of all our country.
We would not be the great nation we are without our armed forces.
God Bless all our military and the families that share their loved ones.
They to serve for us.
May you feel God's arms around you at this difficult time.
Dawn Adams
August 3, 2003
God be with you and your family at this time. Thank you service your Country you will not be forgot.
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