William G. Barthel, Sr.'s Obituary
William G. Barthel, Sr. September 23, 1924- October 14, 2012 William “Bill” Barthel, 88, slid into home plate on Sunday night at Florida Hospital Waterman after a brief illness related to end stage cardiac issues. He was born in Secaucus, NJ where he lived most of his life until retirement when he moved to Tavares, Florida in 1989. He served in active duty in the United States Marine Corp during WWII and fought in the Marshall Islands where he was wounded by a shell mortar for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. He returned back home to marry Dorothy, his childhood sweetheart, who predeceased him in 2003 after 52 years of marriage.He attended commercial art school in NYC before taking a job as a forklift operator for Red Star Express for 30 years.One of his passions was baseball which he played in the service, coached for Little League and Babe Ruth leagues in NJ and continued to play in the Senior Softball Leagues locally. He traveled extensively and was on the team that won the Senior Softball World Series in 2003. He was nicknamed the “Rabbit” because he was able to run the bases so fast and was often put in as a pinch runner for other team members.He loved waltzing with Dot, camping in the outdoors with his family, spending time with his grandson who affectionately named him “Bebop” because he would sing and dance to entertain him as a child and, of course, playing baseball.He is survived by a daughter, Debbie Egan, son-in law Mike Egan, grandson Michael Egan from North Carolina and a son William G. Barthel, Jr. from New Jersey.A memorial service was held in NC with inurnment at Florida National Cemetery Bushnell.The family would like to thank Dr. Shah at Florida Hospital Waterman and the staff on 3N and ICU, Edgewater at Waterman Rehab, Home Instead Senior Care, and his devoted and dedicated caregiver, Hattie Cummings, who took excellent care of him as he rounded third base.Donations may be made in his memory to Lake Sumter Community College Baseball Program (Att: Mike Mitulia, Athletic Director), 9501 US Hwy 441, Leesburg, FL 34788. Arrangements were entrusted to Steverson, Hamlin & Hilbish Funerals and Cremations, Tavares, FL. Online condolences may be made by signing the guestbook below.
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