William J. Westlake, 84

September 22, 2025

“A Life Well Travelled”

William “Bill” Westlake, of Lititz, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 22, 2025, just two days before his 85th birthday.

Born in Ingersoll, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada, on September 24, 1940, Bill was the son of the late William Arthur Westlake and Lillian (Holmes) Westlake. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Isbister) Westlake, who passed in 2018 and a brother, Steven.

Bill began his career in 1959 at the age of 18, founding Custom Auto Trim in Woodstock, Ontario. The company quickly expanded into Westlake Auto & Marine Trim, employing a dozen people and producing camping products that drew the attention of Lux Co. in Elkhart, Indiana. In 1972, he became President and General Manager of Westlake & Lux Ltd., growing operations to more than 40 employees before the company was acquired by Coachman Industries in 1974. Two years later, Bill transferred to New Holland, PA as Vice President and General Manager to organize and open a larger division, further expanding operations.

In 1979, Bill ventured on his own again, opening Westlake Furniture in Lititz, introducing lightweight furniture concepts alongside traditional designs.

In 1982 he also took a sales position with Radio Shack Computer Center in Lancaster where he earned multiple regional top sales awards.

Bill was also a dedicated professional tour bus driver, logging over a million miles with companies such as Conestoga Tours and Executive Coach, in addition to his own ventures with Westlake Tours.

Beyond his business career, Bill was deeply involved in his community. He and his wife established Explorer Post 580, a co-ed, young adult division of the Boy Scouts of America. Bill and Shirley also ran a youth group affiliated with Explorer Post 580.

Originally established as a computer programming special interest group, they met monthly on Saturdays at McCaskey High School’s computer lab and after each meeting would take day trips to local destinations of interest. The focus of Post 580 and its youth group soon shifted to year-round travel and Bill purchased their first full length yellow school bus, allowing anywhere from 30-40 kids on any given trip.

Peaking around 100 active members, many hundreds of local youth rotated through Post 580 over the years.

Notable activities and destinations included Canadian/American student exchanges, ski trips, kayaking, many amusement parks, theme parks, and resorts, campgrounds, history museums, computerfests, science centers and planetariums, factory tours, government buildings (e.g. FBI and White House), spelunking, beaches, naval bases, the Poconos, circuses, Globetrotters, ice/roller skating, uniquely themed restaurants (who remembers The Organ Grinder in Toronto?), competing in volleyball tournaments, attending live shows and theater, pizza and movie nights, road rallies and scavenger hunts, road trips to everything between Florida and Canada, and Hawaiian cruises, to name a few.

The cost of trips was offset by fundraising efforts of the youth, teaching them entrepreneurial skills, with some youth earning outstanding sales awards from the fundraising suppliers. Other fundraising activities included recycling paper and aluminum cans. The youth elected their own board members and held formal meetings representing the interests of the Post’s activities, contributing literal roadmap ideas for trips.

Occasionally, Bill would take the youth on mystery trips whereby the destination was unknown until arrival. One notable mystery trip “ended” at an empty parking lot with absolutely nothing of interest nearby as Bill announced, “We’re here!” much to the short lived dismay of the disembarking youth. Moments later he regathered everyone aboard and continued travelling.

He prided himself on, “…always coming back from trips with the same number of kids as when we left. But there were a few close calls!”

Bill and his wife were strong advocates for the well-being of the youth beyond the durations of their trips, and easily earned their respect and the trust of parents, as the youth were expected to follow the Explorer Post bylaws. Bill always reminded the youth he mentored, “if you are on time, you are late. If you are early, you are on time”. During their travels, he and Shirley were often praised by others on the good behavior of the youth.

Bill enjoyed recounting stories from his years on the road, many of which pre-date the proliferation of GPS technology and the Internet. He once said of his road knowledge, “I may not know the names of the roads, but I know where they all go,” making him the world’s best (or worst!) backseat driver, an extremely rare occasion. When asked what he wanted to do when retired, he responded, “I think I want to travel!”

Many Monday mornings Bill could be found enjoying breakfast with his fellow and retired bus driver group at Alice’s Diner of Bridgeport.

In a twist of irony, as a youngster, Bill never rode the bus to school as he lived too close to use the bus routes.

During his time in Canada, he was an active member of the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary, earning recognition for his service. He also was accepted into the Canadian Power Squadrons of Tillsonburg, Ontario, and received his Seamanship and Advanced Pilot qualifications. Additionally, he had active memberships to the Alberta General Radio Service Association, the Ontario Emergency Communications and Help Organization (ECHO), the Whip-R-Snapper Car Club of Woodstock, Ontario, the American Bus Association, and the National Campers and Hikers Association of USA & Canada.

As a young car enthusiast, Bill enjoyed making modifications to some of his vehicles and often spoke fondly of a 1958 Chevy Nomad he had reupholstered.

When not traveling, Bill and Shirley occasionally organized large neighborhood yard sales. Neighborhood kids were occasionally seen using their large yard as a makeshift football field.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed listening to music and singing in the car with his favorites being country and Elvis. In addition to music, Bill enjoyed good meals and conversation, often followed by a hearty helping of ice-cream.

When recently asked about his hobbies, he considered them as: Driving long distances, travel planning, packing luggage, and taking passengers to food buffets along the way.

Ultimately throughout his lifetime, Bill organized thousands of trips for Lancaster County’s (and beyond) teens and adults. Bill and his wife made lifelong friendships with families at many of the recreational vehicle (RV) festivals they attended, even “adopting” others’ children as their own in a grandparent’s role.

One of Bill’s last great journeys was a road trip largely tracing the perimeter of the contiguous United States. With the exception of Alaska, Bill had traveled to every state.

Of his many principles, Bill always told those traveling with him to, “leave the place better than when you got there.” With the experiences Bill and Shirley gave to thousands of people, it is apparent they reflected that philosophy.

Surviving are nieces Kathy Hill and Judy Rylance; sister- and brother-in-law Loreen and Wayne Chambers; granddaughters Aspen and Ashlyn; longtime friends Virginia Minihane and Marie Shope; and the hundreds of kids of whom Bill and Shirley gave a home away from home as “mom” and “dad”.

In keeping with Bill’s request, there will be no formal services.

Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to any of the following: Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America); Visiting Angels; Hospice & Community Care Lancaster.