Obituary of William E. First Sr.

It is with great sadness that the family reports that our wonderful friend, husband, and father passed away peacefully on February 20th , after suffering from a long illness. William is preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Lester First, and his loving sister Mary Elizabeth Smith [First]. Surviving is his loving wife of 72 years, Jeanette First, and two sons, Bill First of Chicago and Dr. Craig and Maria First of Harrisburg. William has two grandchildren, Craig Francis and Caroline Lauren First. William was an avid golfer and a true sports enthusiast! He loved college football, and on any given Saturday during the fall, you would certainly find him seated in front of his TV… from morning till late in the evening! William loved Baseball and played Shortstop with the Harrisburg Senators, but his opportunity fell short when he was sent on a Bermuda cruise with the Naval Reserves in 1947. William also spent 12 years in the National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap. William coached several baseball teams during the 1960s and 1970s, including both the A and B teams at Penn Gardens in Colonial Park, the Teener League in Susquehanna Township, and an American Legion team during the mid-’70s. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 3 rd at the Gilbert L. Dailey Funeral Home located at 650 South 28th Street, with Visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 and a prayer service with Father Leo presiding following the visitation. The burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery located at 116 South Oak Grove Road in West Hanover Township immediately following the funeral service. In William’s memory, flowers can be sent to the Gilbert L. Dailey Funeral Home.