William Criswell

William “Bill” P. Criswell, 71, of 1667 Fairchild Rd., Lewisburg, since 1974, met His heavenly Savior at 2:38 a.m., Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, passing from leukemia, diagnosed two days prior.

He was born August 16, 1949, at Geisinger, a son of the late John W. and Dorothy M. (Killian) Criswell, growing up on a farm in Lewisburg, just west of West Milton. On April 8, 1972, in Lewisburg, he married the former Deborah E. Feaster, who survives.

Bill was a 1967 graduate of Milton High School and earned his associate degree in drafting from Williamsport Area Community College in 1969.  He was employed by PennDOT as a Highway Draftsman and worked on the Interstate 80 project as an Inspector.

He was drafted into the Army and served as an infantryman in the Vietnam Conflict as a Sergeant (E5) from February 19, 1970 until his honorable discharge, October 19, 1971. Bill was awarded the combat infantry badge (CIB) for his service.

Upon his return to the States, Bill took up farming as his profession. He was an innovator in conservation and no-till farming methods in the area. He was also a rural carrier for the US Postal Service in Lewisburg until he retired in 2013.

He was a member of the Lewisburg Alliance Church. Soon after returning from Viet Nam, St John’s Lutheran Church, now United in Christ Lutheran Church, asked Bill to place the cross on the steeple of his childhood church by walking up the crane boom. This tale of bravery was recounted by many who knew him and probably made the trips up and down grain bin ladders less daunting.

In addition to farming, Bill loved riding motorcycle with friends and running around the farm in his restored Willie’s Jeep, with his chocolate lab, Willie. He had a beautiful bass voice and enjoyed singing with quartets and in church choirs. Over the years, he and his wife hosted many church picnics, pig roasts, hayrides and the occasional baptism on their farm.

Surviving in addition to his wife of 49 years, are one daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Michele and Patrick Moseley of Lewisburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Lucas and Melinda Criswell of Lewisburg; one brother, Kenneth J. Criswell of New Columbia; one sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Keith Smith of Port Matilda; and four grandchildren, Nathan, Owen and Parker Criswell, and Cole Moseley. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Joshua W.

Family and friends are welcome to a time of visitation from 6 to 9 pm, Friday, May 21st, and 10-11am, Saturday, May 22nd, at the Lewisburg, Alliance Church, 137 Supplee Mill Rd., Lewisburg, where a celebration of life service will be conducted at 11, with Rev. Dr. Rubens Ruba, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mifflinburg FFA, 75 Market St., Mifflinburg or to Camp Susque, 47 Susque Camp Road, Trout Run, PA  17771.

Arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home, Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Rd., Mifflinburg.

Leave your condolences online at www.rouppfuneralhome.com.