Meadville Tribune
CLARION —
William (Bill) J. Motzer, 86, of Clarion, formerly of German Hill, Tionesta, passed away Monday, Feb. 7, 2011, after a lengthy illness.
Born Aug. 11, 1924, he was a son of John and Pauline Haug Motzer, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Motzer was born and raised on the family farm on German Hill in Tionesta. He was married June 21, 1952, to Virginia Wagner, who survives.
Mr. Motzer was a farmer all of his life and operated the largest dairy farm in Forest County.
He was a lifelong member of Forest Grange, he helped in the building of the Tionesta Dam, drove coal truck for Art Benninger, was a member of the Forest Area School Board, belonged to the PFA (Pennsylvania Farmer’s Association), was a 4-H member, was on the FHA (Farmer’s Home Administration), was also a member of the FFA (Future Farmers of America), and he was a member of the ASCS (Agriculture Stabilization Conservation Service).
Mr. Motzer attended Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Tionesta Church of God and Tionesta Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Motzer’s greatest love was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed working on his farm, logging and managing his timber, and hunting.
Mr. Motzer is survived by his wife of 58 years; and four children, Dennis Motzer and his wife, Susan, of Meadville, Beverly Osten and her husband, Allan, of Erie, Charlene Hritz and her husband, Ken, of Shippenville, and Brenda Mazzocchi and her husband, Tony, of Shippenville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren. A sister, Ellen Sharp and her husband, Joseph, and a brother, Alfred Motzer and his wife, Grace, from the Pittsburgh area, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Mr. Motzer was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Herman Motzer; and two sisters, Eleanore Wesoloski and Pauline Metts.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Faller Funeral Home Inc. in Fryburg.
There will be a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday at Tionesta Presbyterian Church. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday in Tionesta Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Peter Veltman officiating.
Burial will follow in Mount Zion Lutheran Cemetery on German Hill.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Clarion-Forest VNA; Tionesta Library; or a charity of one’s choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting fallerfuneralhome.com.
