F. William Bremmer, Jr.

F. William (Bill) Bremmer, Jr., age 78, of Fariview passed away on Tuesday December 5, 2017, at UPMC Hamot after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

Bill was born on April 4, 1939, in Baden, PA, son of the late Edna (Himes) and F. William Bremmer, Sr.

He graduated from Mercersburg Academy, class of 1957, in Mercersburg, PA, and then earned a degree in Accounting from Thiel College in Greenville, PA, in 1963.

In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by two sisters, Lucy Anna Bremmer and Eleanor Jean Wallace.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Linda (Miller) Bremmer, Fairview, PA; son F. William (Bill) Bremmer III (Kerry), Fairfax, VA; daughter Kirsten Ellen Elstner (John) Stevensville, MD; and son Seth Daniel Bremmer, Fairview, PA. Bill was the grandfather of six – Adam, Hannah, Daniel, and Michael Bremmer of Fairfax, VA; and Jack and Ben Elstner of Stevensville, MD.  Bill is further survived by a niece, three nephews, and many, many cousins.

Bill was extremely proud of the academic, athletic and musical achievements of his children and grandchildren, and talked about them at great length to everyone he met. He also encouraged his children’s adventures in the U.S. and abroad.  Bill loved being outdoors, whether tramping in the woods or exploring the Great Lakes. He was especially fond of Presque Isle, where he and his family spent many days in the summers of their early years in Erie picnicking and boating.

Bill was a man of many interests, leading to a variety of employment and entrepreneurial endeavors, for many years in the timber business, but primarily in the oil and gas industry, where he worked as a petroleum landman . One of his greatest joys was working on decades-old oil wells, bringing them back to life on his own “oil patch” overlooking the Allegheny River.

Bill also had eclectic musical interests.  He introduced his skeptical wife to the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, and Muddy Waters, eventually turning her into a life-long fan.

Bill was a member of Wayside Presbyterian Church for nearly four decades, serving as a deacon and usher for many years.

Family and friends will be invited to a memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life, which will be announced at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26^th St., Erie, PA 16506.

Memorials may be made to the Foundation for Sustainable Forests, 22418 Firth Road, Spartansburg, PA 16434 or call 814-694-5830.