Pastor William Ralph "Bill" Bair

Pastor William Ralph Bair "Bill" 69, of Shade Gap, passed away March 22, 2024 in Hershey, PA. He was born December 25, 1954, at J.C. Blair Hospital, Huntingdon, PA, a son of Shirley (Price) Bair, of Three Springs and the late Ned Bair. He was the beloved husband of Tammy (Long) Bair, and they would have observed their 38th wedding anniversary on June 21.
Also surviving are 2 sons, Christopher Bair, (wife, Kristine) and Michael Bair, (wife, Heather), all of Cassville; 4 grandchildren, Troy Hoover (Jennie), Cierra Dick (Cody), Madeline Bair, and Evelyn Thompson and 6 great grandchildren, Colton Dick, Jason Hoover, Hope Hoover, Blake Dick, Madisyn Dick and Floyd Hammon. His devoted companion was Bear Bair, his German Shepherd.
In addition to his father, he was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Guy and Marie Price and Roy and Mary Baer.
Bill attended Southern Huntingdon County High School and received his GED in 1975 and graduated from Thompson Institute in 1980, with a Degree in Specialized Business and Business Administration. He then continued his education at Drew University, graduating in 1999, with a Local Pastors License and from the Methodist Theological School of Ohio and West Virginia, Course of Study in July 2010.
His past employment included working at Jennerstown Coal Mines as a Roofer, at Hinkles & McCoy as a lineman and as a Manager at McDonalds. Additional employment was with the Restaurant Division of the PA Turnpike as a Manager, and SCI, Huntingdon as a Food Service Instructor.
Pastor Bill served the United Methodist Churches in the Susquehanna conference from July of 2017 until June of 2023, and also served the Lemasters UMC, the Path Valley UM Parish and the Harrisonville UM Parish. Following his retirement in June, 2020, he filled in at the Shade Valley Charge, Salem Hillcrest, Quincy, Pleasant Hills, Mont Alto, Calvary, Knobsville and Fairview United Methodist Churches.
He was a past member of the United Methodist Board of Ordained Ministry, was the Assistant to the Dean of Wesley Forest Jr. High Church Camp, served on the Center for Community Action Board of Directors and the Southern Huntingdon County School Board of Directors. He attended St. Lukes UMC. Additional memberships include, the Mount Zion Masonic Lodge # 774 F&AM, McConnellsburg, PA and the Valley of Scottish Rites Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Shade Gap Club Scouts, The International Association of Lions Club and was instrumental in forming the Shade Gap Drug Task Force in the Southern Huntingdon School District.
He loved spending time with family and friends, as well as golfing, traveling, and Mission trips to Costa Rica, Mississippi, Belize and Mexico.
Bill's final act of helping others was his wish to be a donor and was able to donate his cornea's.
A Memorial Service will be held March 28, 2024, at 11 AM in St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 11691 Circle St., Shade Gap, PA with Pastor Summer Love Bair, officiating. The Family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 10 to 11. The family requests the omission of flowers and suggests donations in memory of Pastor Bill Bair be made to either: Transplant House of Cleveland, 2029 East 115th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 or Love INC. of Greater Hershey, 245 East Derry Road, Hershey, PA 17033. www.agettlakjer.com