William Failor

1924 - 2017

William (Bill) Failor, 93, passed away July 10, 2017 at the Meadows Health Care Center at Homewood at Crumland Farms in Frederick where he had been a resident for a little over 2 & 1/2 years. Bill was born on May 16, 1924 in the small town of Fort Loudon, PA (near Mercersburg, Pa) as the oldest of five siblings to Robert and Marie Failor. His father, a banker, relocated the family to nearby Lemasters, Pa. where Bill spent his childhood and teen years. After graduation from Lemasters High School in 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corp at age 18 and served in the Pacific Theater. On September 4, 1948 he married Mary Ellen Diehl of Chambersburg, Pa. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State College (now University) with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 1950.

Bill began work for a small private design firm near Beaver Falls, Pa outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. and then took a position as a park designer for the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Park Authority. He subsequently began his long career with the National Park Service (NPS) in 1956 as a park planner in Philadelphia, Pa.

He transferred to Washington DC in 1965 to become the Master Plan Coordinator for the National Capital Parks. Bill's desire to become involved in urban park management was realized in the late 1960's when he became Superintendent of National Capital Parks Central which included the downtown areas and monuments of the nation's capital.

In 1972 Bill moved to Frederick to accept a position to become Superintendent of Antietam Battlefield for about a year and the first fulltime Superintendent for the entire 186 mile length of C&O Canal National Historical Park. He took command of an extensive program of repairs & restoration to rebuild the park after tropical storm Agnes and later reopened the barge trail for hiking & biking. From 1981-1983 (Retirement) he completed his NPS career as Chief of Interpretation, Recreation and Visitor Services for the National Capital Region in Washington DC. Upon retirement Bill received a Citation for Meritorious Service from the Secretary of the Interior, William Clark.

Throughout Bill's working years and his retirement he became very involved with Grace United Church of Christ (UCC) through service on the consistory, committees and singing on the church choir. He volunteered for the UCC Board of Homeland Ministries by traveling to the mid-west to help establish new UCC Churches. He taught Parks and Recreation courses part-time at Frederick Community College. Bill was very involved with the Potomac Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and served as president for several years. He also served on the Frederick County Human Relations Council.

Bill enjoyed taking family vacation trips to parks, historical sites and the beach. He especially enjoyed Penn State functions and football games. He continued to travel with Mary Ellen in retirement prior to her illness and assisted with her caregiving until her passing in April 2001. He attended Daybreak Adult Daycare for a few years, enjoyed their programs and singing on their choir.

Bill is survived by three sons of Frederick, Robert, Steve and David (daughter-in-law Kimberly Failor of Walkersville, MD) siblings, Ruth Ann Bard & Janet Porter of Chambersburg, PA and James Failor of Hagerstown, MD, grandchildren Devin Failor (fiancee Alexandra Eckenrode) of Lewisburg, PA and Brooke Whiteside (partner Douglass Wulf) of Smithsburg, MD and great grandchildren Jane Wulf and Braylen Failor. He is also survived by nieces Pamela Porter, Susan Weller and nephews James Porter and Mark Bard. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by twin sister Elizabeth in infancy and Mary Failor.

The family would like to recognize two special caregivers: Shelly Staab and Carolyn Jackson, who lovingly named him "Mr. Bill" provided much comfort and support prior to his stay at Homewood.

Additionally, the staff at Homewood's Meadows Health Care Center are to be recognized for their compassionate care of Bill during his residency.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 pm to 7:30pm, on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30am, on Friday, July 14th, 2017 at Grace United Church of Christ, 25 East Second Street, Frederick, MD. Officiated by the Reverend Dr. Rob Apgar-Taylor. One half hour prior to the service there will be a visitation in the Good Shepherd Room behind the sanctuary. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, Marion, PA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the C&O Canal Trust, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, MD 21740, the Daybreak Adult Daycare Center, 7819 Rocky Springs Road, Frederick, MD 21702 or Grace United Church of Christ, 25 East Second Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.keeneybasford.com.