William (Bill) Detweiler of Marietta, GA died peacefully at home on May 27th surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old and was born on July 2, 1945. Bill was formerly of Port Vue and West Mifflin, PA. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia Kuczler Detweiler. His devoted son William (Billy) Jr., also a resident of Marietta, was such a source of pride and was much loved and respected by his dad. His daughter-in-law, Laura, quickly became the daughter he never had and occupied a special place in his heart. His greatest joy was his darling granddaughter Zoey Michelle with whom he shared countless experiences and built lasting memories. Bill extended his heart and love to both Hannah and Halle Carter, his neighbors' children, and was known to them as "grandpap".
Bill served in the Air Force as a crew chief on a B52 for the Strategic Air Command (SAC). He continued his aviation career with Boeing in Seattle as an air frame mechanic on the first 747. After leaving the aviation field, he returned to Pittsburgh to pursue a lifelong career in both banking and POS electronics.
Bill spent his son's early years both coaching and refereeing soccer and basketball. Christmas was his favorite time of year, and he would decorate his yard with multitudes of inflatables and lights to the delight of the neighbors and passersby who would drive slowly past his yard. As a dedicated Santa helper, he would don his red suit and whiskers to visit young children on Christmas Eve, reminding them Santa couldn't come with their toys until they were fast asleep. He developed a love for woodworking, and blessed Zoey's preschool and elementary school with raised garden beds and an outdoor classroom. His passion for "O" gauge model railroading delighted kids of all ages for many decades. He displayed his model train village at the Annual Festival of Trees benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the Southern Train Museum, the Children's Museum of Atlanta, and the Boy Scouts Annual Jamboree. Every year he would display his trains at his granddaughter's schools. He belonged to the North Georgia Tinplate Trackers, National Model Railroad Assoc. Piedmont Division, and the Ferro Equinologists.
Bill loved the time he spent at the Keheley Elementary School, where he and Pat served on the steering committee that established the first PTA for the then newly constructed school. Through the years he volunteered and served the school in many capacities as a father to Billy, grandfather to Zoey, Hannah and Halle, and father-in-law to Laura who teaches there. To continue his work and vision for the school that he loved so much, the family is asking in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Keheley Foundation of the Keheley Elementary School, 1985 Kemp Rd NE, Marietta GA 30066 or to: http://keheleyfoundation.org/detweiler . A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.