William H. Anckaitis

William H. Anckaitis, 67, lieutenant colonel, U.S. Army retired, died at his home in Colonial Heights on Sunday, February 6, 2005, after a prolonged struggle with prostate cancer. Mr. Anckaitis's education included a bachelor of chemical engineering degree from Cornell University, a master of science in business administration from the University of Rochester, and a master of science in logistics management from Florida Institute of Technology. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Mr. Anckaitis had been a resident of Colonial Heights since September 1978, when he was assigned to the U.S. Army Logistics Center at Fort Lee. A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Army, the Cold War, and Vietnam, Lt. Col. Anckaitis retired at Fort Lee in May 1984, while assigned to the U.S. Army Logistics Management Center. He had two previous tours at Fort Lee, from 1968 to 1970 and from 1971 to 1974, living in Petersburg during those years. He was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He served the Fort Lee and Tri-City community in a number of capacities over the years in various leadership positions with the Old Dominion Chapter, Society of Logistics Engineers; as a charter member of the Logistics Toastmasters Club; as an instructor with the Tri-Cities Industrial Management Club; as an adjunct faculty member and part-time instructor with several colleges and universities, including Virginia State University, Florida Institute of Technology, St. Leo College, and Chapman College; as treasurer of the Colonial Heights High School Band Boosters; as an assistant cub master, pack committee secretary, and den leader with Cub Scout Pack 150; and as an assistant coach with the Colonial Heights Soccer Association. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America. Mr. Anckaitis was preceded in death by his mother and father, Henriette Myers and Victor W. Anckaitis of Easton, Pa. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn W. "Tiny" Anckaitis; three children, Clifford Anckaitis of Arlington, Va., Debra Lynn Harris and husband, Dan of Short Pump, Va., and Sharon Negris and husband, Paul of Wheaton, Ill.; three stepchildren, Mark Fraher, Elizabeth "Scottie" Fraher, and Keith Fraher, all of Colonial Heights; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Kathleen Anckaitis of Bethlehem, Pa.; six grandchildren, Stefan and Linwood Fraher, Brandon and Rachel Harris, and Olivia and Grant Negris; and his mother-in-law, Nonnie Burnett of Danville, Va.; also survived by several nieces and nephews, grandniece, nephew, and cousins. A funeral service will be Saturday, February 12, 2005, at 1 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3701 Conduit Road, Colonial Heights, Va. 23834 with the Rev. Thomas Dunkum officiating. Burial to follow in Southlawn Memorial Park, Prince George County, with full military honors. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Prostate Cancer Research and Education Foundation, 5480 Baltimore Drive, Suite 202, LaMesa, Calif. 91942-2015 or to Wesley United Methodist Church. Arrangements by the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard.