Bill Fry
William “Bill” James Fry, of Carlisle, passed away at home on January 2, 2022. He was the loving husband of Elyzabeth Briody Fry, whom he was married to for 54 years. She preceded him in death in August of 2021. Bill was born on May 26, 1942 in Harrisburg to the late George Denton Fry and Ann Mary (O’Donnell) Fry. He grew up in Enola and was a proud member of the East Pennsboro Panthers 1959 high school football team that went undefeated and unscored upon for the season.
Bill received his Bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University and his Masters degree from the University of Western Maryland. He started his career right out of college as a special education teacher and coach, but truly found his calling as a principal within the East Pennsboro school district. He served at both the East Pennsboro Middle School and West Creek Hills Elementary. He retired from West Creek Hills after spending 18 amazing years there. Bill felt that his greatest professional achievements were curricular innovations made during his time at West Creek Hills Elementary, as well as his earlier work with Cerebral Palsy and special education individuals and groups.
Bill had a welcoming way about him and a wonderful sense of humor. He took extreme joy in spending time with his family and dear long-time friends, enjoying many gatherings and travels over the years. Bill was highly involved with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to play a game of whiffle ball or Rummikub. He was an avid golfer, a lifelong Notre Dame fan, an animal lover and some of his best memories were made at his childhood summer home turned hunting camp outside of New Germantown, PA.
Bill is survived by his three children, Jon Sherman (Sharon) of Philadelphia, David Sherman (Jeannette) and Susan Rider (Thomas), both of Mechanicsburg, grandchildren Thomas (Stephy) Rider of Mechanicsburg, Amy (Derek) Nesbit of Landisburg and Midora Middleton of Tennessee, Great-grandchildren Elyzabeth, Mercedes, Leyna, Aaliyah, Annabelle, Denni, Lily and Levi, one great-great-grandchild with a second expected in April, and a sister, Gin Beck, of Georgia. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, wife, siblings Barbara Hawk, John Fry and Edward “Tom” Fry, and his great-grandson, William.
The family will hold a private memorial service at their convenience. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Four Diamonds.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Bill’s many health care providers and his supportive and cherished friends.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Fry family.
One memory on “Bill Fry”
Bill was my middle school principal when I went to East Pennsboro Middle School and then I had the pleasure to have him as my principal when I taught at West Creek Hills. To be honest, I was a little scared of him when he was my middle school principal but when I had the pleasure to do my student teaching at West Creek Hills, I was so impressed with his leadership skills and love for his students. I feel he was the reason I got a position teaching for East Pennsboro because he always had the time to observe me as a student teacher and give me encouraging words.
He was loved by his staff and students and will always be remembered by his East Penn Family.