William G. "Bill" DeWitt

William G. “Bill” DeWitt, age 86, of Erie, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 29, 1937, he was the son of the late William P. and Ethel Banse DeWitt.

Bill attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, receiving a BA in economics, followed by service in the US Navy as a Supply Corps. Officer. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he received an MBA in accounting. Bill was given the Elijah Watts Sells award for his performance on the CPA exam. His career included a decade in public accounting with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Rochester, NY, followed by a move to Erie in 1976 with Hammermill Paper Company where he eventually became Corporate Controller. Following that he served for six years as Controller/Treasurer of Gannon University.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, photography, hiking and travel. Following retirement, he and his wife traveled domestically and worldwide. Many trips included hiking in such places as Ireland, the Alps, and New Zealand. They both enjoyed spending several winter months in Tucson, Arizona.

Community involvement was very important to him. He especially enjoyed working with the Friends of Asbury Woods Nature Center for 6 years and was a member of the Board of Directors of Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center for 28 years. Bill was an elder at Wayside Presbyterian Church and served on several boards there. Then he served as Treasurer of the Presbytery of Lake Erie. For a decade he was on the board of directors of Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA) and served on many committees there. He also enjoyed membership in the Presque Isle Rotary Club and the YMCA Mens and Womens Club.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a sister Joann E. DeWitt. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Sarah M. “Sally” DeWitt, his daughter Catherine M Dewitt and her husband Mark Skala of West Newbury, MA, son Rick DeWitt of Erie, PA, his brother-in-law Robert Moke of Columbia, MD and grandson Derek Skala of Saratoga Springs, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Erie Homes for Children and Adults (EHCA) 226 East 27th Street, Erie, PA 16504 https://ehca.org/ or Asbury Woods Nature Center 4105 Asbury Road, Erie, PA 16506 https://www.asburywoods.org/

Friends are invited to call on the family Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 10:00 until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 at Wayside Presbyterian Church 1208 Asbury Rd, Erie, PA 16505. Arrangements entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. West Ridge, 3801 West Ridge Road, Erie.

Send condolences to www.BurtonQuinnScott.com