William G. Klingerman

William G. Klingerman, 56, of Zion Grove, passed away Monday in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, following a year-long illness.

Born in Hazleton on Jan. 23, 1968, he was the son of the late William D. Klingerman, who passed away on April 20, 1995; and Barbara A. (Schell) Klingerman, Zion Grove; and spent his life in the Nuremberg area.

Billy was a 1985 graduate of West Hazleton High School. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Nuremberg, and a social member of American Legion Post 699, Nuremberg.

Billy was a musician in many local bands including Backyard Country, Small Town, Better Than Monday and Roadwork. He had been playing in bands since age 9 as he was an extremely talented keyboardist, singer and guitarist. His proudest accomplishment was being able to play for thousands of people at the Pocono Raceway. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, making memories with his family and traveling to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to visit his sister-in-law, Roseann.

Billy was an inspiration to many as he never let his blindness hold him back from making music to bring people joy. His greatest joy was his 2-year-old grandson, Ryan, who will forever love his "Pap."

In addition to his mother, Barbara, Billy will be missed by his loving wife, the former Jenifer Duncheskie, to whom he was married on Oct. 14, 1989, in Hazleton; two children, Justin Klingerman and his partners, George and Dennis, Frackville; Jillian Neikam and her husband, Richard, Drums; a grandson, Ryan Neikam; a sister, Linda Klingerman and her significant other, James McLaughlin, Drums; a cousin who was like a brother to him, Christopher Klingerman, Zion Grove; aunts, Wanda, Verna and Beverly; and uncle, Earl; and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to gather from 9:30 a.m. to service time at 11 a.m. Saturday in Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 260 Mahanoy St., Nuremberg.

Interment will follow in Nuremberg Cemetery.

A celebration of life benefit will be held from noon until 10 p.m. April 20 at the Towers, 1478 Tomhicken Road, Fern Glen.

Condolences may be entered and information is available at www.harman

funeral.com.