Samuel W. "Sam" Menefee III

     Samuel W. "Sam" Menefee III, 90, of Leola, was welcomed into the open arms of his Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Akron, Ohio, he was the son of the late Samuel W. Jr. and Marcia Bell Menefee. Sam was the husband of Betsy Smith Menefee, and they observed 68 years of marriage this past June. After high school he obtained his bachelor's degree from Duke University in Business Administration. After college he enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country as an officer and Naval Aviator in the aviation division. In September of 1965, he began his career as a commercial airline pilot for Pam American World Airways, Inc. where he would spend the next 26 years traveling internationally. After his career as an airline pilot, he stayed in the world of transportation by obtaining his CDL license and driving trucks both locally and cross country. After retirement, he drove for a local messenger service to transport mail and those with physical and intellectual disabilities.

     Above all else, Sam was a devoted believer in the finished work of Jesus Christ. His most current church membership was at Lititz United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School. Prior to that he was a member and teacher at Ephrata First United Methodist, and a member at Westminster Presbyterian and St. Thomas Episcopal. He sought to spread the love of Jesus to many.  "Dropping the hat" to start conversations and mentoring others were activities that brought him joy. He served on the advisory board with several ministries in the Lancaster area as well as President for 5 years for the Ephrata Chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship International. He found a way to incorporate serving the Lord within his career of aviation and trucking in various ways and ministries.  Sam's love for Jesus didn't stop there. He also found it crucial to share the word of Jesus to those who looked for answers in their times of need. His ministry included sharing the Good News at the Glass House (a local half-way house), the Vineyard Personal Care Home, various addiction ministries, and into the world of Prison Ministry.

     Sam loved the sport of wrestling, competing in high school and college, and later encouraging and introducing many young children and teenagers in the sport. He was a tour guide through both Lancaster County and Hershey, guiding families to explore the surrounding areas. He always found happiness in telling a good joke to bring laughter to the lives of others and could never pass up a good pun. Keeping up with current events and educating himself and his family through the news and politics was another hobby of Sam's. Although nothing matched his passion for sharing Jesus, he loved the cats that would find comfort in coming to Sam and Betsy's house.

     Surviving in addition to his wife, Betsy, are two children, Pamela "Pam" wife of John Pogue, Wyn husband of Marcia Menefee, grandchildren, Laura, Julia, Andrew, and Katelyn, and great grandchildren, Olivia, Gwen and Ezra.

     Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral service for Sam at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 2421 Willow Street Pike, Willow Street PA 17584 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM. There will be a viewing and time of visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of service. For family only, interment will be in Conestoga Memorial Park. Those desiring may send memorial contributions to Impact Ministries (impactminitries.com), Harvest Ministries (harvestusa.org), or Lancaster's Water Street Mission (wsm.org). To send the family online condolences please visit, www.snyderfuneralhome.com.