William Christian

William Christian, Glenburn Township, died peacefully at home on Thursday morning following an illness. He is survived by his wife, the former Eileen Mehan. The couple had been married for 55 years. Born in Wilkes Barre, he was the son of the late Dr. William and Margaret Miliauskas Christian.



Prior to Bill's retirement, he was the owner operator of Abington Advertising and A.A. Printery in Clarks Summit. He was also a teacher of English in public high schools in Newark Valley, N.Y.; Bristol Township, (Levittown), Pa., and locally in North Pocono High School. He was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Church, serving in fund raising in the annual bazaar and as a funeral altar server.



Bill was active in his community. He started the first Clarks Summit Fourth of July fireworks. Three years later that enterprise was turned over to the Rotary Club and continues today. As a member and past president of the Rotary Club of the Abingtons, he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his service above self. He wrote a humorous weekly bulletin, many skits and plays for Rotary. He was a founding member of the Abington Business and Professional Association, ("ABPA"). Bill's local contributions include acquiring a grant for the construction of the clock tower that stands in the center of Clarks Summit. While serving as president of Rotary and also as a member of ABPA, he was initiator of the building of the planters and waste bins in the Clarks Summit main areas. He was the co-founder and first president of the Concerned Abington Taxpayers. He served as president of Allied Serivces Volunteers. He was elected supervisor to the Township of Glenburn.



Bill appeared in more than 25 productions of the Abington Players, a local acting club. He directed five plays, produced three and served as board member and president of the Players.



Also surviving are: daughter Susan McWilliams, Riviera Beach, Florida and her children, Eric and Margaret Harrison; son William J. Christian and his wife, Paige and their two children, Jeffrey and Kelly, Painted Post, N.Y.; daughter Laura Christian Heller and her husband Donald Heller, Tunkhannock; son Drew Christian and his wife Erika DeWilde and their two children Cole and Liam, Waverly, Pa. He was preceded in death by an infant son, William Vincent Christian.



The family extends gratitude to Sheela Prahalad, M.D., for her wise and loving care.



The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10 am in Our Lady of the Snows Church, 301 S. State St. Interment will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.



Friends may call on Sunday from 4-7pm at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit. For directions or to leave an online condolence please visit www.lawrenceeyoungfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Rotary Club of the Abingtons, PO Box 392, Clarks Summit, PA 18411.