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Dr. William E. Downey, Jr.
Dr. William “Bill” Elder Downey, Jr., 97, returned to his heavenly home on October 14th, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones. He was a man of immense humor, quick wit and wisdom, as well as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He was lovingly known as Doc, Bippy, Bip, Grampy and Geebee.
Bill was born to the late William Elder Downey, Sr. and Minnie Downey on Sept 14th, 1927, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a Dentist in the United States Navy where he retired a Captain. He also ran his own practice in Wellsboro, PA. After retiring he and his wife moved to Harbinger, NC.
Bill joins his wife Betty as they have entered eternal rest. The couple was married 67 years before her passing in 2017. Bill is also preceded in death by his son, Dane Downey and wife Olivia, son-in-law, Michael Stanford, his parents, and his siblings.
Bill is survived by his children, Carole Stanford, Joel Downey (Nancy), and Beth Thomas (Brian); his grandchildren, Heather Stanford Frey, Daniel Downey (Ashley), Rynesha Thomas, Sarah Stanford, Megan Downey Schreeg (Jacob), Annie Downey Echelbarger (Tyler), Derek Thomas (Heather), Dustin Thomas (Mallory), Keagan Downey (Christina), Christopher Thomas (Savannah), Holly Thomas, Ethan Thomas; and his great-grandchildren, Evelyn Downey, Harrison Downey, Hattie Downey, Theodore Downey, Astrid Downey, Mina Echelbarger, William Schreeg, Paul Schreeg, Joella Schreeg, Liam Thomas, Sebastien Thomas, Ryleigh Thomas, Rowan Thomas, Elouise Thomas, and Judson Thomas; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Throughout his years, Doc served in many ministries, including Prison Ministries, Gideons and serving as a chairman on the board for Teen Challenge Bible School in Sunbury, PA. His dentistry skills led to many missions, including spending six weeks in Guiana as a missionary dentist in 1969. Bill was a member of Church of the New Covenant in Mansfield, PA. Before becoming homebound, Bill was an active member of Jarvisburg Church of Christ and attended Powells Point Christian Church. It didn’t matter if you were family, a friend or a stranger, he would love to tell you about Jesus.
He enjoyed all sports, but baseball was his favorite. He loved playing, coaching and watching. While coaching Little League for over 50 years, he taught the children about much more than the game. He attended Fantasy Camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates twice and played at Three Rivers Stadium.
He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his creator. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of his caregivers who provided him with love and care during his final years on earth.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 24th at 1pm at Powells Point Christian Church. Arrangements are being handled by Gallop Funeral Services, Inc.
Condolences
So sorry for your lost i use to be his paper carrier always talk a few minute to me
So sorry for your loss he was a very wonderful man loved him alot. Prayers for the family.
I loved that man with all my heart!! He was a wonderful man!!! He will dearly missed! Ps I know I'm ur favorite!! 🤪 Love Bippie
I will always remember him "Doc" so very fondly ...my LL baseball coach and baseball fan (go Buccos). I spoke with him over the years and was always good for a reminiscence. Rest well "Doc" your safe at home.
Very sorry for your families loss. He was a great man, and a awesome baseball coach. He gave me the batboy position, and I also got to play Little League and have him as my coach. Always a smile and positive comments from Doc; and life lessons as well. And I believe he was the number one Pirates fan! Go Buc's
What a good man, met him when at worked at Walmart pharmacy. Always brought us candy and laughter .
Beth and family, thinking of you all and sending prayers. Hoping your many happy memories warm your hearts in the days ahead.
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family as you go through this time of sorrow. I hope it brings you comfort knowing how much your Dad was loved by so many people. It really attests to his life, character and God loving spirit. He will be greatly missed.
Bip was a wonderful kind man and a great father and grandfather it shows in all his family because each and every member is so kind and caring and exceptional. My heart goes out to you all and I pray for strength and guidance during this time for you all. I loved him like he was my very own granddad. He always had kind words and wit that we will all miss. I will forever be your bippy girl forever!
Bip was a joy to be around he had a great sence of humor and loved to talk about sports. He used to carry caramel candy's in his pocket for his daughter when he would visit her at work and when he found out I liked coffee candy's he started loading his pockets for me as well. He will be missed.
Angels walk among us and Bip was truly one of them. Peace be with his family and friends for he’s gone home to be with his maker. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives and received his special gifts of life. May all the fond memories ease the heartache. He definitely had super powers! Sending love to the family.
Sending Beth and family our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Downey rarely missed a game to cheer his grandchildren and our boys on through years of baseball. A seat is waiting for him behind home plate to continue cheering on his great grandchildren. Rest in peace.
My sincere condolences for your loss. How fortunate you were to have such a good man as a role model and mentor in your life. May the happy memories of a life well lived bring you comfort in the days ahead.
We have been blessed with this incredible human being. Doc was so much more than a baseball coach to me. He made a real difference in so many lives.
Over 50 years ago, Bill and Betty Downey visited the ministry of Teen Challenge, located in Rhinebeck, NY and later Sunbury, PA. As Chairman of our Board of Regents for many years, Doc Downey was an blessing. Faculty and students alike loved seeing him arrive on campus and many became life-long friends of the Downeys! After our first meeting with Bill and Betty, we became part of their extended family, as did many others. Thank the Lord for nearly a century here on earth . . . but now Bill is with Jesus and with Betty, having faithfully run the race to his eternal home. Love and condolences to Carole, Joel and Beth and your extended families. You shared your Dad with everyone and it shows! Thank you and God's richest blessings be yours!!
Bip, or Bill was indeed a remarkable man with an incredible track record. He loved God with all his heart and honored Him throughout his life in many ways. I am grateful to have met him. He made me feel like a part of his family, and spending time with him was always refreshing. We’re all going to miss you Bip! See you again soon, love you my friend.
It is with much grief and joy to hear of Bill's passing. One second in Heaven and you don't want to come back. I pray that the family will receive God's peace during this time. With His grace, Eugene and Cathy Watts
So sorry for your lost i use to be his paper carrier always talk a few minute to me
So sorry for your loss he was a very wonderful man loved him alot. Prayers for the family.
I loved that man with all my heart!! He was a wonderful man!!! He will dearly missed! Ps I know I’m ur favorite!! 🤪 Love Bippie
I will always remember him “Doc” so very fondly …my LL baseball coach and baseball fan (go Buccos). I spoke with him over the years and was always good for a reminiscence. Rest well “Doc” your safe at home.
Very sorry for your families loss. He was a great man, and a awesome baseball coach. He gave me the batboy position, and I also got to play Little League and have him as my coach. Always a smile and positive comments from Doc; and life lessons as well. And I believe he was the number one Pirates fan! Go Buc’s
What a good man, met him when at worked at Walmart pharmacy. Always brought us candy and laughter .
Beth and family, thinking of you all and sending prayers. Hoping your many happy memories warm your hearts in the days ahead.
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with your family as you go through this time of sorrow. I hope it brings you comfort knowing how much your Dad was loved by so many people. It really attests to his life, character and God loving spirit. He will be greatly missed.
Bip was a wonderful kind man and a great father and grandfather it shows in all his family because each and every member is so kind and caring and exceptional. My heart goes out to you all and I pray for strength and guidance during this time for you all. I loved him like he was my very own granddad. He always had kind words and wit that we will all miss. I will forever be your bippy girl forever!
Bip was a joy to be around he had a great sence of humor and loved to talk about sports. He used to carry caramel candy’s in his pocket for his daughter when he would visit her at work and when he found out I liked coffee candy’s he started loading his pockets for me as well. He will be missed.
Angels walk among us and Bip was truly one of them. Peace be with his family and friends for he’s gone home to be with his maker. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives and received his special gifts of life. May all the fond memories ease the heartache. He definitely had super powers! Sending love to the family.
Sending Beth and family our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Downey rarely missed a game to cheer his grandchildren and our boys on through years of baseball. A seat is waiting for him behind home plate to continue cheering on his great grandchildren. Rest in peace.
My sincere condolences for your loss. How fortunate you were to have such a good man as a role model and mentor in your life. May the happy memories of a life well lived bring you comfort in the days ahead.
We have been blessed with this incredible human being. Doc was so much more than a baseball coach to me. He made a real difference in so many lives.
Over 50 years ago, Bill and Betty Downey visited the ministry of Teen Challenge, located in Rhinebeck, NY and later Sunbury, PA. As Chairman of our Board of Regents for many years, Doc Downey was an blessing. Faculty and students alike loved seeing him arrive on campus and many became life-long friends of the Downeys! After our first meeting with Bill and Betty, we became part of their extended family, as did many others. Thank the Lord for nearly a century here on earth . . . but now Bill is with Jesus and with Betty, having faithfully run the race to his eternal home. Love and condolences to Carole, Joel and Beth and your extended families. You shared your Dad with everyone and it shows! Thank you and God’s richest blessings be yours!!
Bip, or Bill was indeed a remarkable man with an incredible track record. He loved God with all his heart and honored Him throughout his life in many ways. I am grateful to have met him. He made me feel like a part of his family, and spending time with him was always refreshing. We’re all going to miss you Bip! See you again soon, love you my friend.
It is with much grief and joy to hear of Bill’s passing. One second in Heaven and you don’t want to come back. I pray that the family will receive God’s peace during this time.
With His grace,
Eugene and Cathy Watts