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Bill and Jean Price are surrounded by their four children in this recent photo. In the front, from left, are Krista Repp, Bill and Jean Price, and Karen Davis. In the back are Jim Price and Heidi Harshman. (Submitted Photo) |
"They had the best time on camping trips, smoking cigars and eating steak," Jean said, adding that the men socialized outside of Scouts.
"The leaders always ate better than us," Jim recalled.
Jim and Bill were tapped at the same time for the Order of the Arrow Ordeal. Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts and adult leaders called Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, according to the Boy Scouts of America website.
After retiring from Washington County Public Schools in 1994, Bill became Trinity Lutheran's parish administrator, working under Pastor David Buchenroth.
"My philosophy is, we're put on this earth for a life of service," Buchenroth said. "I don't know if that was his philosophy, but he lived it. He lived his life serving other people and found enjoyment in doing that."
Bill volunteered with the Literacy Council of Washington County and Trinity Lutheran's food pantry, both located in the church, and belonged to several community organizations.
His church involvement included serving as president of the church council several times, teaching Sunday school and working with the youth group.
Bill's children remember him as easygoing and soft spoken, but occasionally heard what Krista refers to as "the voice of God, spoken with just that authority" when they occasionally needed discipline from their father.
"You didn't want to disappoint him," Karen said.
"He had such a calm temperament," Jean said. "All 54 years, especially with me — bless his heart — he probably put up with more from me ..."
Her parents "were always holding hands, even in the car," said youngest daughter Heidi Harshman.
Bill always was up for board games and card games, never complaining when his children requested a lengthy game of Monopoly. Heidi remembers entertaining herself on a car trip by putting barrettes in Bill's hair.
"He'd do anything for anybody," Krista said. "He could answer any question, find out anything."
As a family, the Prices traveled most summers to Missouri to visit a couple with whom Bill had made friends while stationed there with the Air Force. They were Karen's godparents.
Other vacation destinations included Ocean City, Md., Hersheypark and King's Dominion, Florida and Monticello in Virginia.
Bill and Jean also traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal.
"We had no regrets. I don't think he did," Jean said.
Bill had had diabetes for some time and in 2008, had open-heart surgery. He struggled with pulmonary fibrosis and was on oxygen 24 hours a day.
Jean said he seemed in good health until several months ago, and his death still took the family by surprise.
"I didn't expect this — not this soon," Jean said.
"He was very loving," Jean said. "His mom was older and her sister even older. He kind of looked out for them in their later years. He was just a dag-goned good guy."
"The leaders always ate better than us," Jim recalled.
Jim and Bill were tapped at the same time for the Order of the Arrow Ordeal. Order of the Arrow recognizes Scouts and adult leaders called Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, according to the Boy Scouts of America website.
After retiring from Washington County Public Schools in 1994, Bill became Trinity Lutheran's parish administrator, working under Pastor David Buchenroth.
"My philosophy is, we're put on this earth for a life of service," Buchenroth said. "I don't know if that was his philosophy, but he lived it. He lived his life serving other people and found enjoyment in doing that."
Bill volunteered with the Literacy Council of Washington County and Trinity Lutheran's food pantry, both located in the church, and belonged to several community organizations.
His church involvement included serving as president of the church council several times, teaching Sunday school and working with the youth group.
Bill's children remember him as easygoing and soft spoken, but occasionally heard what Krista refers to as "the voice of God, spoken with just that authority" when they occasionally needed discipline from their father.
"You didn't want to disappoint him," Karen said.
"He had such a calm temperament," Jean said. "All 54 years, especially with me — bless his heart — he probably put up with more from me ..."
Her parents "were always holding hands, even in the car," said youngest daughter Heidi Harshman.
Bill always was up for board games and card games, never complaining when his children requested a lengthy game of Monopoly. Heidi remembers entertaining herself on a car trip by putting barrettes in Bill's hair.
"He'd do anything for anybody," Krista said. "He could answer any question, find out anything."
As a family, the Prices traveled most summers to Missouri to visit a couple with whom Bill had made friends while stationed there with the Air Force. They were Karen's godparents.
Other vacation destinations included Ocean City, Md., Hersheypark and King's Dominion, Florida and Monticello in Virginia.
Bill and Jean also traveled to Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal.
"We had no regrets. I don't think he did," Jean said.
Bill had had diabetes for some time and in 2008, had open-heart surgery. He struggled with pulmonary fibrosis and was on oxygen 24 hours a day.
Jean said he seemed in good health until several months ago, and his death still took the family by surprise.
"I didn't expect this — not this soon," Jean said.
"He was very loving," Jean said. "His mom was older and her sister even older. He kind of looked out for them in their later years. He was just a dag-goned good guy."