William "Bill" Charlton, 79, of the Rawlinsville area, passed away early Monday morning at Lancaster General Hospital after a period of illness. He was born in the village of Salina in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Bill served in the U.S. Air Force at Hahn Air Base near Frankfurt, Germany during peacetime in the mid-50s. He received his bachelor degree at California (PA) State Teacher's College and his Master of Science at Syracuse University. He taught chemistry, astronomy, math, and technology, first at high schools in Baltimore and Port Deposit, MD and later at Cecil College in Northeast, MD, where he taught for over 40 years. Bill enjoyed classical music, spy novels and political thrillers, astronomy, and old movies. He was involved in the arts, especially theatre, at Cecil College during the early part of his career there. He also played in the Bentleyville (PA) Volunteer Fireman's Band in high school and the marching band at California State Teacher's College, where he was student director. He is survived by his brother, James; daughter, Melissa Smith, and three grandchildren; adopted daughter, Klara Charlton; son Galen; son Jacob, and two grandchildren; and daughter, Hannah Harvey. He was preceded in death by his father, David, mother, Twila Aikins, and sisters Faye Mellott and Judith Caster. A memorial service will be held in western Pennsylvania at a later date, to be determined. For details, please contact Jacob Charlton at (717) 208-9317.