William P. Engel, 97, of Easton, died Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Moravian Hall Square, Nazareth surrounded by his family. Born July 8, 1920 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he was a son of the late William P. and Carol (Pettigrew) Engel. His wife, Nancy (Clevenger) Engel died in 2007.
William earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He also received a degree in Religious Studies from Lancaster Bible College later in his life. After serving in the US Navy during WWII as a Naval Aviator from 1941-1948, he became a commercial airline pilot and Captain for United Airlines until retiring in 1980. Bill was fascinated by airplane flight from a young age. He also enjoyed a lifelong appreciation for golf after lettering in the sport in high school. Bill became a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity at the University of Minnesota, and, later in life, of the College Hill Presbyterian Church, Easton, where he served as a Deacon. Most notably, however, Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, as well as a philanthropist who contributed generously to Christian mission work and numerous local, national and international non-profit causes throughout his life.
Surviving are his daughter, Pamela Engel Brewer and her husband, Lloyd G. Brewer of Forks Township, two grandchildren, Jason L. Brewer and Amy (Brewer) Beachy and three great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by a brother George Pettigrew Engel and a sister Carolyn (Engel) Murphy, as well as a son, Ronald Engel, who died in infancy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, September 16, 2017 at College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton. Private inurnment with Military Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to College Hill Presbyterian Church, 501 Brodhead St., Easton, PA 18042 or Third Street Alliance, Sharing the Caring, 41 N. Third St., Easton, PA 18042. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
