William John Reuter, 71

May 05, 2021

Eminent banking executive, dedicated philanthropist and beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, William “Bill” John Reuter, passed away on May 5, 2021.

Born June 2, 1949, Bill was raised in East Baltimore where he attended the Our Lady of Fatima parochial school followed by Archbishop Curley High School. His successful school career included graduating from the University of Maryland School of Banking and receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Millersville University.

He married his high school sweetheart, Selina, and the union lasted 53 years until Bill passed. Their marriage produced three children and five grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents William F. and Dolores Reuter and his brother, Donald J. Reuter. He is survived by his wife, Selina A. Reuter, his children, Lisa Fink (Gary), William B. Reuter, Jason J. Reuter (Erin); and his grandchildren, Nicholas Custodero, William Reuter (Blake), Jason K. Reuter, Zhen Reuter and Rayn Reuter.

Bill’s greatest love was his family. He adored spending time with them, being their role model and offering a constant source of love and support. In his own words, the things he valued most included: “Honesty, character, integrity, hard work, not being something you’re not, being realistic, reaching out, touching people’s lives.”

He was proud to have served his country in the United States Air Force; after 23 years he retired as master sergeant with the Maryland Air National Guard.

Professionally, Bill spent over 45 years in the banking industry. His career started in 1973 at Equitable Bank in Baltimore, Md. In 1989 he became the president and chief executive officer of Farmers and Merchants Bank, in Hagerstown, Md. Later, Farmers and Merchants was acquired by Susquehanna Bancshares, based in Lititz Pa., and Bill became chairman and president in 1997. In 2002, he was appointed chairman, president and chief executive officer. He retired from his role with Susquehanna Bancshares in 2015, and went on to serve on the board of directors for BB&T from 2015 to 2019.

Bill had a lifelong sense of civic responsibility and held numerous leadership positions with nonprofits and charities. Though he relocated due to his professional positions, he always enriched and served the communities in which he lived. His philanthropic commitments were many, and he served on the board of several organizations including the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Hagerstown Committee (he was a charter member), Meritus Health (formerly Washington County Hospital system) and Hagerstown Community College.

Groups that he volunteered with included (but were not limited to): the Pennsylvania Bankers Association; the Maryland Bankers Association; the New Jersey Bankers Association; the Bank Administration Institute; the United Way of Lancaster County, Pa. (where he served as chairman in 2006 and was the recipient of the Thomas H. Bamford Volunteer of the Year Award in 2008); the United Way of Washington County, Md. (he was the recipient of the Jesse L. Kagle Distinguished Service Award in 1992); the Maryland Theater in Hagerstown Md.; the Maryland Chamber of Commerce of Washington County, Md.; the Community Foundation of Washington County, Md.; Leadership Maryland-Leadership Washington County; the Young Bank Presidents of America; the Jaycees of Baltimore, Md.; the Special Olympics; the Economic Development Company of Lancaster, Pa.; The Lancaster Alliance; and Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, Md. He also received recognition from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Hagerstown Rotary Club, Hagerstown YMCA, and was named the 1995 Business Person of the Year by the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

An avid golfer, Bill loved playing at different courses but his home greens were particularly close to his heart: Fountain Head Country Club, Bent Creek Country Club, Caves Valley and Grey Oaks. He served as club president at both Fountain Head Country Club and Bent Creek.

Bill’s legacy of service and selfless dedication will live on always. In the words of Thucydides: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”

Guests are invited to pay their respects to the Reuter family at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 on Sunday, May 9, 2021 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A private burial will take place at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery in Baltimore, MD on Monday, May 10, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s name to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, 2102 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.