Dr. William R. Davidson

1936 - 2022

Dr. William R. Davidson, 85, of Pottsville, passed away Monday evening at Lehigh Valley Hospital with his children by his side. He has joined his beloved wife, Ruth, in the arms of the Lord.

Born on Sept. 17, 1936, in Clementon, N.J., he was the son of the late William R. and Eleanor Nora (Kelly) Davidson.

He obtained a Doctorate and Masters of Education from Temple University, Philadelphia, and a Bachelor degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.

Through the years, Bill had a very extensive list of accomplishments and positions. He was a Spanish teacher in Woodbury, N.J.; Assistant Principal in Pitman, N.J.; and also president of its teacher association. He was a graduate teaching associate at Temple University; Principal of Pottsville Area High School for three years; Superintendent of Pottsville Area School District for over 20 years; Interim Superintendent at Shenandoah School District for one year; Interim Superintendent at Pine Grove Area School District for two years; Supervisor of student teachers at Penn State Harrisburg; Coordinator of M.Ed. program for teachers at Penn State Schuylkill; and taught graduate courses for Temple, Widener and Penn State.

Bill was also a very dedicated and active part of the Pottsville Community. He was a Director on the Pottsville Area school board for 12 years; President of the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit #29 school board for one year; Board of trustees for Alvernia University; Board of directors for First Federal Bank; President of the board of trustees of Pottsville Free Public Library; Chairman and member of the Pottsville Salvation Army; Past President of the Pottsville Rotary Club; President and campaign chairman of the Schuylkill United Way; Steering committee member of the Schuylkill County Comprehensive Plan; Vice-chairman of the Pottsville Bicentennial Committee; Board member of the Schuylkill YMCA; Board member of the Benevolent Association (former children's home); Chairman of Pottsville City Civil Service Commission; Pottsville City Fair Hiring board; Hearing officer for the Schuylkill County Housing Authority; National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame Committee; Allen-Rogowicz PA Sports Hall of Fame board member; and an adult Sunday school teacher and Elder at the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville.

Bill was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, where he served as an Elder and adult Sunday school teacher for many years. He also proudly served as Captain in the Army Reserves.

Bill's greatest joys were attending his grandchildren's school and sporting events and spending time at the family cabin in Leraysville, Pa. He was also a very avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies and also Stanford University football.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Younger) Davidson, who passed away in 2017 and to whom he was married for 56 years.

Bill is survived by daughters, Mary Ella, wife of Brian Hallick, of Pottsville; Deborah Ruth, wife of William Orlowsky, of Pottsville; and a son, James Kelly Davidson, husband of Linda, of Zionsville, Pa.; grandchildren, Bradley Davidson Hallick, husband of Kate; Meghan Ruth Hallick; Alyssa Brianna Davidson and Aaron James Davidson; great-grandchildren, William Carter Hallick and Gabriel Alexander Mohl.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, at the United Presbyterian Church, 214 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with Pastor Jim Shields officiating. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, and from 10 a.m. until time of service on Friday morning at the church. Interment will take place at noon on Saturday, March 26, in Neath Cemetery, Neath, Pa. The procession will leave Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc. promptly at 9:15 a.m.; the public is welcome. The family requests memorial contributions in Bills' memory be sent to Pottsville Salvation Army, 400 Sanderson St., Pottsville, PA 17901 or to the Dr. William R. Davidson Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Pottsville Rotary Charities, P.O. Box 1313, Pottsville, PA 17901 (make checks payable to "Pottsville Rotary Charities" and note Dr. William R. Davidson Scholarship Fund in the memo line). Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements. Visit www.lordbixler.com.