William K. Dempster

William (Bill) K. Dempster, 74, of Harrisburg, passed away on November 19, 2025, in Holy Spirit Hospital. Bill was born on October 8, 1951, in Munich, Germany on Erding Air Force Base where his father was serving in the United States Air Force. Bill was the only son of Master Sargent William P. Dempster and Jane Keller Dempster.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Rosemary Chiavetta, his son, William M. Dempster, also of Harrisburg, and his beloved chocolate lab, Addie.
Bill was a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, Capitol Campus earning a Bachelor of Science in 1973. Bill had an expansive career, first, as a trained mechanic owning his own business and restoring foreign and antique cars, especially for the AACA Hershey Car Show. His business skills then served him well in the transportation industry, first as Deputy Director of Dauphin County's Transportation Department, and then as managing CEO of Harrisburg Yellow Cab, where Bill oversaw a fleet of 300 cabs, buses, and limousines operating in eight central Pennsylvania counties. He joined the Ridge Administration as a Bureau Director and later served as a Deputy Secretary during the Rendell Administration, both with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. Bill then served as a special Executive Assistant for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture until his retirement from the Commonwealth in 2015.
In retirement, Bill enjoyed overseeing renovations to the Fishing Creek Valley home he shared with Rosemary for over 26 years. Bill also became a self-taught chef, preparing gourmet meals for Rosemary and their dinner guests. Bill was an avid bird watcher and enjoyed keeping track of the various wildlife surrounding their five-acre property on the mountain. Bill will be remembered by all who knew him for his unique sense of humor, his great storytelling, his wise political savvy, and his commonsense solutions to problems at work and at home.
Visitation with Rosemary and a gathering of Bill's friends will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hetrick-Bitner Funeral Home, 3125 Walnut Street, Harrisburg. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, Rosemary asks that contributions be made to the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, 7790 Grayson Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17111 or visit https://humanesocietyhbg.org/get-involved/donate/ .
To share memories with the family, please visit www.BitnerCares.com.