William P. Utley's Obituary
William Paul Utley, 83, of Trinity, Florida, and formerly of Shrewsbury, MA, Michigan City, IN, and York and Huntingdon, PA, passed away on Monday, October 27, in Trinity, FL. Born on October 19, 1942 in Penn Township, Huntingdon, PA, the son of E. Irene (Garner) Hearn and Charles L. Utley. Bill was lovingly raised and guided by his mother, Irene, and his stepfather, Cloyd A. Hearn. Bill was united in marriage to Rosalie S. Castellano on November 6, 1965 in York, PA. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Rosalie, of Trinity, FL, his daughter, Elizabeth Utley Goldman and her husband, Richard, of Ashland, MA, his son, Stephen A. Utley, and his husband, MAJ Michael Holtz, USAR (Ret), of Arlington, VA, his granddaughter, the apple of his eye, Annie Goldman, of New York, NY, and cherished family and friends.
Bill graduated from Huntingdon Area High School in 1960 and went on to complete his bachelors degree in history and accounting at Juniata College in 1964. Bill was active in scouting and achieved Eagle Scout with Troop 28 Juniata Council. He was formerly a member of the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon.
Bill and Rosalie shared nearly 60 years together. Their happy marriage included many adventures around the country. Bill was a pioneer in data processing programming and manufacturing cost analysis with Cole Steel in York, Weil McLain in Michigan City, and Litton Industries of Dallas. Bill ended his 53 year career with the Plainville Electrical Products Company, Bristol CT as a project manager for the US Navy submarine program. Bill and Rosalie retired to Trinity, Fl in 2017.
Bill was a hard worker, but he also loved having fun with his family and friends. Many wonderful times were spent on the beaches of Cape Cod and Florida, on the golf course, at baseball parks, or enjoying great food at restaurants around the country and around his own dining room table sampling dishes by Ro, Elizabeth, and Stephen. Bill loved playing cards, especially gin rummy with his wife and poker with the whole family. Bill was an avid reader of history, mysteries, and westerns. He was a Civil War buff long before it was vogue because of his family’s historical connection inspired by the many stories shared with him by his grandmother,
Annie Norris. The family has great memories of times spent at museums and battlefields, especially Gettysburg.
Bill had a passion for sports and was an avid baseball and football fan. Bill would happily talk sports with anyone and share his depth of knowledge and expertise. He would never miss an opportunity to see his kids and his granddaughter participate in sports, and the success of Juniata’s women’s volleyball team made him very proud. Bill also worked hard to promote athletic participation among youth. Bill coached track and baseball for many years, including American Legion, and his 1978 CYO baseball team at Notre Dame Catholic School in Michigan City, IN were city champs.
Bill’s life was an adventure and took him and Rosalie many places, yet he was proud of his roots and had a passion and love for his family that will help sustain them as they mourn his loss. Friends and family will be received at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 6, at Etzweiler Funeral Home, 1111 E Market Street, York, PA 17403, followed by a service at 11:00 am presided over by Reverend Allyssa Boyer. Internment will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery, 3420 N Susquehanna Trail, York, PA 17406.
Gifts in memory of Bill can be made to the William P. Utley Endowed Scholarship at his beloved alma mater, Juniata College. The fund is being established by Bill’s family, and they invite others to join them in making a gift. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a first-generation college student from Pennsylvania who attends Juniata. Click the following link to make a secure gift online:
Utley Scholarship
or mail a check made payable to
Juniata College with “Utley Scholarship” in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Juniata College, Attn: Development Office, 1700 Moore Street, Huntingdon, PA 16652. A list of donors will be shared with Bill’s family. Thank you for helping to honor Bill in a manner that so beautifully celebrates his life and legacy.
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