Obituaries

William L. “Bill” Zahm III, 90

January 04, 2024

William L. “Bill” Zahm III, of Lancaster, passed away in his 90th year on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Lancaster, Bill was the son of the late William L. and Janet M. (Kling) Zahm, Jr.

Bill graduated from McCaskey High School and then from Millersville University in 1971. He worked for the RCA plant for 19 years. After graduating from college, he taught high school English at Pequea Valley High School for 25 years. He enjoyed going to Delaware beaches to go fishing and to his cabin to go hunting. He was an avid pool player and played on various teams competing in competitions. Bill was a lifetime member of the Lancaster Elks Lodge #134 and a lifetime member of the Riverside Camping Association.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elizabeth J. Zahm; his daughter, Janet (Hoyt) Roark; his sister, Phyllis E. (Kenneth) Zimmerman; his grandson, William “Bill” (Meghan Wilson) Roark; and three great-grandchildren, William “James” Roark, Anne Alice Roark, and Ryan Andrew Roark.

Friends and family will be received from 10AM to 11AM on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 441 N. George Street, Millersville, PA 17551. A memorial service will follow beginning at 11AM. Burial will be held privately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s name to the Pennsylvania SPCA Lancaster Center, 848 S Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 or through the following link: https://www.pspca.org/donate.

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Condolences to the Family

March 21, 2024

I just learned of Uncle Bill’s passing and hope Janet gets this. He was a wonderful Uncle and I always enjoyed our time spent as an extended family. I will never forget the childhood trips to Stone Harbor or the BBQ’s in their back yard. He was amazed that I would read an entire book on the trip to Stone Harbor and could give him an oral book report once we were unloaded and had some free time. He is missed. Juli Ann Evans Bachman (Marian “Tutter”‘s daughter)

January 15, 2024

So sorry to hear of Mr. Zahm’s passing. If it was not for Mr. Zahm while I attended Pequea Valley High School in the 80’s I would have been stuck in a class of students that had no desire to learn English, they were much like the sweathogs from Welcome Back Kotter because the school’s policy was if you were in Vo-tech you had to take general English/Language/Biology/Math classes. I was taking Commercial Art in Vo-tech, but he knew I was capable of more. He advocated to the Superintendent for me to get into the equivalent of an AP English class. Without his support I would have never learned MacBeth or any Shakespeare. For that I am eternally grateful that he saw my potential. Yes, I did write him a letter after graduation to thank him. Thank you, Mr. Zahm for your quiet, calm, kind, steadfast demeanor.
Tammy (Hickey)

January 10, 2024

I was very sorry to hear of Bill passing away!It was with pleasure that he and I were colleagues at Pequea Valley High School for a quarter century! A soft spoken man he met head on with the difficult task of teaching grammar to teenagers! I am happy that he was my friend throughout our time together at PV.
May his family cherish the many memories of his good life and times!
Dick Gerz

Services: Thursday, January 11, 2024; 11:00 AM; Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory; 441 North George Street; Millersville, PA 17551
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