Remembering William "Bill" Snyder

Remembering

William "Bill" Snyder

6 February 1961 - 22 March 2017

Have you ever noticed how quickly time passes while, at the same time, it seems to drag along. One month has passed since Bill's death. 

The psalmist reminds us:

[God,] You turn people back to dust,

saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”

A thousand years in your sight

are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—

they are like the new grass of the morning:

In the morning it springs up new,

but by evening it is dry and withered.

[Psalm 90:3-6 NIV]

And again, the second letter of Peter:

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." [2 Peter 8-9 NIV]

One month of 31 days has seemed like a lifetime and just a moment in time. Today, I remember.

Remembering

One month has passed since you breathed your last

And not one day goes by that I don’t cry.

Tears flow easy for me as it should be

While others struggle to express themselves with a heavy sigh.

Close family has gathered to say good-bye,

To remember and celebrate the life that was yours.

Tears flowed amidst the stories that show

The lives touched which even you did not know.

Every Wednesday afternoon I watch the clock

As the seconds tick off and the hands move

Closer to twelve and thirty-five

When my heart stops and I am still in shock.

Moving forward is easier said than done.

There is no prescription or “one” path to follow

Even though many will share their own ideas

Of what to do and where to go now that you are gone.

Reminded of your life and your presence daily,

You are there in the thunderstorms as they roll;

In the pictures and the memories we shared.

You left your mark on many from the depth of your soul.

I can only imagine that the singing in your ear

Is so much sweeter than what you heard here!

As the days, months and years march on,

Guided by faith I look forward to a joyous reunion.

22 April 2017

David B. Turnmire

In loving memory of my husband and partner, William “Bill” Snyder

6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017

Messages From Nature: Thunderstorms Abound!

THUNDERSTORM

Lightning flashes and thunder claps; 

Skies turn shades of yellow and hues of green; 

Winds rage and all of nature cowers - 

The thunderstorm draws closer. 

Rain begins to fall and lakes and rivers form 

Where once there was dry land. 

Trees bow before nature’s fury; 

Sheets of water pummel the earth. 

Now the sky is black as midnight – 

It is mid-morning or late afternoon. 

Pinging sounds are heard on roofs and windows; 

Hail adds a new dimension to the storm. 

Captivated by nature’s eruptive forces, 

Staring through the panes of glass, 

He is amazed by the spectacular display – 

Such power unleashed for all to see. 

Sounds of thunder fade into the distance; 

Pouring rain slows to a drizzle; 

Shimmers of light appear on the horizon; 

Birds chirp and squirrels scamper. 

Storm clouds vanish and blue skies appear. 

Rays of sunshine dry the urban landscape. 

Steam rises from once cold pools of water. 

Brilliant rainbow colors mix with azure. 

The life of a thunderstorm! 

 ~ May 20, 2004 ~ 

 Dedicated to William "Bill" Snyder III ~ a true "thunderstorm lover"!

William J. Snyder III Obituary (6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017)

William J. Snyder III

6 February 1961 – 22 March 2017

William J. Snyder III was born February 6, 1961, the son of William J. Snyder Jr. and the former Sandra Wilson in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. Following the death of William J. Snyder, Jr. in May 1961, William was later adopted by his paternal grandparents, William J. “Bill” and Thelma (nee Port) Snyder, Sr. William died Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2017, at his home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania following a lengthy series of illnesses. His spouse David was at his side.

William “Bill” Snyder III was raised and attended schools in Tyrone, Pennsylvania. During high school, Bill was involved with DECA, participated with the Tyrone-Bellwood high schools’ swim team and played a role in the musical production of Guys and Dolls at Tyrone High School. He graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 1979. On October 28, 1979, Bill was united in marriage to Gloria “Jean” Miller at Tyrone. The couple later divorced. Their marriage was blessed with two sons, David and Matthew.

Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1979. Following discharge from the Navy, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry based in Clarion, Pennsylvania. After returning to Tyrone, Bill was employed by Gardners peanut processing plant in Tyrone prior to attending South Hills Business School in State College, Pennsylvania. While attending South Hills Business School, Bill was named to the Dean’s List and graduated with honors, earning an Associates’ Degree in Marketing - Management with Microcomputer Option. Prior to graduation, he served an internship at Blue Mountain Quality Resources, Inc. – a software company. Bill was also a member of the South Hills Executives Club. Following graduation, Bill worked as a manager of Martin Oil in Bellwood and later as a nurse’s aide at a nursing home in State College, Pennsylvania.

In 1999, Bill relocated to Boiceville, New York and was employed by the Head Trauma Center in Kingston, New York and later became the lead dispatcher for Valley Courier located in Kingston. Bill relocated to Minnesota in September 2001 and was employed by Methodist Hospital and Park Nicollet Health System, St. Louis Park, Minnesota in food service management. He became a ServSafe Minnesota certified food service manager during this time. Bill became employed by Regis Corporation in IT POS technical support, eventually serving as the principal software and technical support individual for franchise store locations. Health issues contributed to Bill’s permanent disability in 2009.

Bill met David Turnmire in December 2002 and the couple lived in St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Brooklyn Center, all in Minnesota. In 2010, they moved to Dallas, Texas prior to relocating to Johnstown, Pennsylvania in May 2014. Bill and David were married in a private ceremony on October 4, 2014 in Blair County, Pennsylvania.

Bill enjoyed reading, history, science and most of all, movies. He possessed a vast knowledge of classic movies and movie stars throughout the ages. Bill was an historian of the Academy Awards and Oscar winning movies and actors. He was a fan of cooking, home improvement and paranormal television programming. Bill also enjoyed social networking and in previous years, he and David enjoyed various coffee shops in the Minneapolis and Dallas area.

William J. Snyder III is survived by his spouse and longtime partner, David Turnmire of Johnstown, Pennsylvania; two sons: David (Bailey) Snyder and Matthew Snyder, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania; one grandson, Alex Snyder, also of Tyrone; four step-children: Amy (Jeremy) Malheim of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Ryan Turnmire of Fridley, Minnesota, Alan (Karen) Turnmire, also of Grand Forks and Erin Turnmire of Eagan, Minnesota; four step-grandchildren: Emma and Sidney Malheim of Grand Forks, Mason Jones of Eagan and Owen Turnmire, also of Grand Forks; one sister, Brenda (Joseph) Yucas of Makanda, Illinois; niece Jennifer Yucas and her partner Kayla Stults both of Makanda; a half-brother, Mahlon (Bonnie) Osterhout, Jr. of Sinking Valley, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by numerous other relatives.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William J. “Bill” and Thelma (nee Port) Snyder, Sr.; William J. Snyder, Jr. and Sandra (nee Wilson) Osterhout; one sister, Donna (Donald) Price and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives.

Received into Christ’s Kingdom and the Christian faith through Holy Baptism on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at home in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Bill had attended various Christian churches, most recently Ascension Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas. God, in His mercy, called William to his eternal rest at the age of 56 years, one month and sixteen days. Bill’s remains will be cremated and will await the glorious resurrection onto eternal life.