Bill to the very end of his earthly existence exhibited the spirit he lived with throughout his life. Let none of us ever forget that and learn from it. It is now time to celebrate his life and his ultimate climb to be with the Lord, family, and friends. It has been an absolute honor for me to get to know yourhis family much better throughout this journey.

Peace to all of you.
Jeff

Mike: Bill, Cliff and you were wonderful role models to guys around the city. I moved to North Carolina decades ago, so only learned recently of Cliff’s passing. Now that Bill is gone as well, I don’t want to wait any longer to  let you to know that I thought the world of you guys. It always brightened my day to run into you delivering mail, or to play basketball with you or either of your brothers. Be well.
Jerry Farber

I had the honor of having Bill as my gym teacher at Reynolds.  He would always call me coach for some reason.  I will remember his smile, but also his enthusiasm for teaching.  He was able to work with us who were not athletic…he looked at us as individuals.  Just a year ago, Bill shared with me on this same website of how my late brother, Keith Rankin, was on the ambulance crew that took him to the hospital one time.  Bill was at ease when he knew that Keith, one of his former students, was taking care of him.  I had the joy of visiting with Bill last week at Hospice with Mike & Lauren.  I offered a prayer for Bill to return home with his Creator.  I am glad that all pain and suffering are over for Bill….I look forward to the day when I will see him again.  Blessings to the Sheely family!  We are truly better people for knowing Bill Sheely.

Blessings,
Chris Rankin

Uncle Bill,
Gone, but not forgotten by any means…. Know you are in heaven watching down over the rest of us. Finally at peace. You will be missed! Love you!

Although I never saw Bill after high school, I feel that I got to know him again through Mike’s Facebook posts.  RIP Bill, it sounds as though you did a lot of good in this world before you left it.
Becky Snyder

Mike your strength and Bill’s through these past number of years is immeasurable.  With Bill now resting in heaven I hope your heart will rest well with the knowledge of the great love for Bill and his work here on earth.  Bill sure has had a special friend in you.  Blessed Be
~ George Mummert

Hi Mike,
My memories go way back to Sunday afternoons at Grandma’s house.  I can still see my 3 cousins – Cliff, Mike and Bill, wrestling in the middle of her living room floor.  For me, being raised in a home with 2 other sisters, it was quite an amazing sight and  very entertaining.  We always knew when they walked in the door things would "liven up"!

The passing of Cliff and Barbie at such young ages, and now Bill, seem so unfair, but I know God does not make any mistakes.  It is comforting to know that Bill was a believer in Christ.

My prayers are with you.

Susie

My condolences for the family and friends of Bill. I will always remember the great smile, how fearless he seemed and what an inspiration he was! Many thanks to his brother, Mike for keeping everyone updated throughout the past year…surely you will see your brother again.

Take care,
Sue Diener

Bill was a man I will never forget. He knew how to touch the hearts of so many. What a great example he was for all who knew him. He will me missed by many! No more suffering.

Mike ,
Truly sorry to hear about your brother Bill’s passing…. I am sure he is in a better place. I have always had a special fondness for you and your family,I am so sorry that I will be unable to attend Bill’s memorial service,rest assured my thoughts and prayers will be with you. Fondly
Ron Flick

Celebrating Bill’s life is so appropriate. He’s reached out to so many and had such a profound effect on their lives. Whether Bill was playing basketball with friends at 6th ward, working hard with youth for Rocky at the Recreation Commission, teaching middle schoolers at Reynolds, providing camp for young victims of cancer, etc., Bill’s life should be celebrated!

Rocky and I want to use this opportunity to extend our continual prayers and blessings to you, Mike, and your entire family at this time. We are traveling to western PA next weekend so this is our opportunity to let you know how much "light" Bill brought into this world and how his "light" shone on us. I’ve told you over the past few weeks how his "smile" will be forever remembered, and along with that came his love and concern. May your celebration be a wonderful tribute to a man who "smiled" upon so many people and was loved. May God Bless You ALL at this time and forever!

Linda and Rocky Watson

Dear Mike: No one told me Bill died last week and I just read it in the Sunday paper. It was a beautiful testimonial of his life and it sounded like you wrote it. I will never forget my friend and former health teacher Bill. As a student I always looked up to this good looking, affable, optimistic person who taught us health and fitness. He always had the perfect athletic body and spirit of eternal optimism. No offence to you, but he was probably the best all around athlete in the family. He sure could play basketball and soccer. He also developed great faith in his later years and fought his illness with strength and determination.

I singled him out as a teacher who made an impression on me at McCaskey in my speech last year when I received the McCaskey alumni award. See attached speech. He loved it when I shared my speech with him. I’ll also never forget so many memorable basketball games with and against the Sheely boys in our youth. The Veronises and the Sheelys were intertwined on the basketball court and we had such a great rivalry. There will always be a place in my heart for your younger brothers, Bill and Cliff and I cannot believe they left us so young. May you carry on the best that they were. Sue and I, Rachel and Nikitas send our sincerest condolences.

Niko Veronis

You caught the essence of Bill’s life very well, Mike. You will be in my prayers for strength and wisdom as you are now the last of your immediate family. You have been strong through this whole time and I’m proud of you.

My condolences to the Sheely Family!

Billy Bear

I wanted to pass on my condolences at hearing of Bill’s passing. Bill gave me my first job out of college at the Aerobic Rehab and PT Center in Lancaster and I also worked with him selling exercise equipment for Fitness Development Inc. (1987-88) Bill was such a great inspiration and teacher to someone that was just entering the health care industry. As I remember, his passion for fitness was only outweighed by his passion for his family, which we spoke about often. He was a great friend that I will always remember with the fondest of memories…..

Mike Styer

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mark & Marianne Sheely

Bill without a doubt 1 of the nicest people I have ever met. My thoughts and prayers r with him and family

Dear Mike,
I was so sorry to hear (too late to visit him) of Bill’s illness and passing. I have been thinking of you often over this past week and praying that you are being comforted by those nearest to you.

We sure have many laughs to remember — how I loved being with the Sheely boys over the years. I remember Bill and I organizing a family reunion at my parents’ house. It may have been the last reunion. He did enjoy getting together with the family.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow — unfortunately we can’t make the memorial service as we will be out of town for the weekend. It would be great to see you — under better circumstances next time.

Jesus Abides!
Love you,
Karen Sollenberger