Wilber Guy Bemis Jr. September 28, 1931 February 18, 2018 Wilber Guy Bemis, Jr., known to friends and family as Bill, passed away on February 18, 2018, at the age of 86 years. Bill was loved by so many; he was a true 'jack of all trades' with a lifelong passion for learning, helping, teaching and singing. He was born September 28, 1931, in Minneapolis Minn., to Wilber and Martha Bemis, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in psychology, and was married to Jean Winter Bemis in 1959. He served his country by devoting his career to the armed forces. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1956. He was called to active duty in 1957, and was integrated into the Regular Army in 1965, following service at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (twice), the Pentagon, Redstone Arsenal, Inchon South Korea, Fort Devens, Camp Perry, Fort Lee, and Giessen Germany. After being promoted to Major in 1966, he then continued his service in Hanau Germany, Fort Lee (again), Riyadh Saudi Arabia, and Aberdeen Proving Ground (again.) Following a diagnosis of diabetes, he was medically retired from the U.S. Army, and moved to State College where he lived the rest of his life. Some of the things Bill was proudest of were his singing with choral groups wherever he and his family lived (including 42 years with the State College Choral Society), his work with the Boy Scouts of America, his active participation in the PaMUG, his involvement with the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Banner Committee, his work training amateur radio users (hams), and his extensive travel (he had visited all 50 states and 32 different countries.) Bill was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg. In addition to his wife, Jean, Bill is survived by his sons Guy and Dale, daughters-in-law Jean and Cory, and grandchildren Marlaina, Alyssa, Devin and Nathan. A celebration of his life will be held in late Spring.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
We miss you Uncle Bill! Your grin and sense of humor made us also grin.
John and Jan Kvitrud
February 14, 2023
Here's my favorite photo I took of my Uncle Bill in the 1980s. I grew up idolizing my cousins/his sons, and I always marveled at his ability to turn every interaction with a store clerk or service provider into a social celebration. I make change like a boss at any checkout counter, optimize the burner under a pan on the stove, and seek out White Castle whenever I get back to Minnesota as my small but continuous reminders of him. I'm incredibly fortunate to have had a second loving father figure in my life. Bill gave freely of himself; his time and his talents, always learning and always teaching.
David Schmidt
Family
April 3, 2021
Glad I got the email reminder as it is good to stop - and reflect- on how much you love and miss friends and family. Thank you and love to you Bill as you are not forgotten.
PAUL RUTSCHKY
Neighbor
February 14, 2019
Condolences to the Bemis family for your loss. I knew Bill through the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity in State College where Bill helped out with the chapter house maintenance. He always had a great attitude and I enjoyed our conversations and an grateful for his brotherhood.
Steve Young
August 26, 2018
Sincerest sympathy from the State College Elks, through which Mr. Bemis interacted during events of Cub Scout Pack 82.
Bob Kidder
April 19, 2018
Jean, I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Brian
Brian Dempsey
March 20, 2018
Auntie Jean and family, I still remember trips to the state fair. Also, introducing the great nieces to White Castle. We had so much fun!
Janet Kvitrud
February 22, 2018
To Bill's family and friends: it was a great pleasure to have him as a member of the SCCS for so many years. He was a wonderful asset to the bass section, he will be sorely missed. R Steven Houtz, formerly section leader
R Steven Houtz
February 21, 2018
Bemis Family,
Heaven has welcomed a Great Man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jean and your beautiful family. Bill leaves us many great memories. We feel blessed that we were a small part of his life.
The Ahrens Family
Nancy Ahrens
February 21, 2018
I am so sorry about the loss of your love one we have the hope of a resourrections this is at acts24-15-16- and that there will be no more death this is at revs 21-3-4- you can find this is in your bible
Maxine
February 21, 2018
Dear Jean and family,
Sending you all love and prayers as you grieve the loss of Bill.
Sincerely, Betsy Tanabe
Betsy Tanabe
February 21, 2018
We will miss you Uncle Bill! John and Jan
Janet Kvitrud
February 20, 2018
Much sympathy to all of you. Bill was a wonderful nurturing presence for all of us kids in the neighborhood and in Scouts. He taught us many good lessons with laughter and songs.
Bill Patton
February 20, 2018
Jean, I was truly heartsick to learn today of Bill's passing. He was a true gentleman and a beloved friend of mine, Wayne and all of us who ran Gnomon Copy. We all looked forward to his almost daily visits because of his Beautiful smiling face and genuine warmth of friendship. We learned something new from him with every visit. My heart is sad today. Please know that I am thinking of you and your family with sincere sympathy. Bill is someone to forever celebrate.
Skip Brightbill
February 20, 2018
Jean, Sorry to hear of Bill's death. Enjoyed his time of activity in tahe Nittany Amateur Radio Club. He stopped by my work place a lot in the Meteorology Dept. I will miss his cheery greetings.
Richard Thompson
February 20, 2018
Dear Jean,
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. May your faith, your family and friends,and many memories sustain you.
Fond memories of our time together in State College.
Roxanna and Harry Muthersbaugh
Harry and Roxanna Muthersbaugh
February 20, 2018
I will miss you Bill. You were a good man.
Paul Rutschky
February 20, 2018
Bill was quite knowledgeable and charming. We will miss him.
John Conklin
February 20, 2018
It was a pleasure singing for so many years with Bill in the State College Choral Society. He had such a sense of humor and unwavering dedication, even as his eye sight progressively deteriorated. We will all miss him.
Rogers McLane
February 20, 2018
Our sympathies to Jean and family.
Nancy & Lew Rodrick
February 20, 2018
Jean and Family, So sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I hope that the memories and wonderful things that Bill accomplished will help you through this difficult time.
Shirley Heidrich
February 20, 2018
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