William J. "Billy" Dautrich

William J. Dautrich, 88, of Exeter Township passed away on June 24, 2018, at 5:45 PM in the Reading Hospital where he was a patient since June 20th. At the exact same time he took his last breath, an amazing single roll of thunder was heard. He was the husband of Mary E. (Gelsinger) Dautrich. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on October 2, 2017. Born in Exeter Township, he was the oldest child of the late J. Herbert and Mae L. (Hafer) Dautrich. Fondly known as \"Billy\", he was both a worker and an owner in the family produce business, Glen Alsace Farms, now in its 4th generation, first selling beans at the Crystal Palace Market on Penn Street in Reading, when he was 7 years old. The final day he worked was the day of his 88th Birthday, June 20, 2018. He served our country in the U.S. Army during the Post WWII Occupation of Germany after graduating from Mt. Penn H.S. Class of 1948. While in high school he played on the baseball team and was a varsity letterman, and also played for the Butter Lane Bulldogs. He was a faithful, life-long member of Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church, Alsace Township, where he served as Deacon and Elder on the Church Consistory and volunteered as Treasurer for 35 years. He was a member of the Stony Creek VFW and enjoyed the Philadelphia Phillies, playing cards, keeping up to date on his computer, and spending time with his family and his beloved cats both at home and at \"the barn\". In addition to his loving wife, Mary, he is survived by their 5 children - Earl H. Dautrich, Exeter Twp., Dianne M. wife of Craig Lutz, Wernersville, Fay A. wife of Craig Knabb, Alsace Twp., Jacob W. Dautrich, husband of Judy (Groff), Fleetwood, Katie L. Dautrich fianc of Phil Langerholc, Lancaster, his granddaughters - Jenna & Julie Dautrich, his step grandsons - Justin & Tyler Knabb, his sisters - Myrtle wife of David Snyder, Exeter Twp., Judith wife of Daniel Hubert, Oley, Thelma wife of Herbert Luft, Exeter Twp., Sylvia Dautrich, Exeter Twp., and his sister-in-law Shirley Dautrich, Lower Alsace Twp. He was predeceased by his brother Raymond C. Dautrich and his infant sister Helen Esther Dautrich. Both Viewings and the Funeral Service will be held at Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church, 318 Spies Church Road, Reading, PA 19606: Relatives and friends may call at the Church on Monday, July 2nd from 7-9PM and on Tuesday, July 3rd, at the Church from 10-11AM - followed by the Funeral Service at 11AM. Rev. Merrill Marisseau will officiate. Interment with full military honors will immediately follow in the adjoining cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the Church or contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church Endowment Fund at the above address. The Klee Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Shillington is assisting the Dautrich family. www.kleefuneralhome.com
Visitation Information

Date: Monday, July 2, 2018
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
Address:

318 Spies Church Road
Reading, PA 19606
610-779-9787 | Map

Date: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
Address:

318 Spies Church Road
Reading, PA 19606
610-779-9787 | Map
Service Information

Date: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Time: 11:00 am
Zion's (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
Address:

318 Spies Church Road
Reading, PA 19606
610-779-9787 | Map
Cemetery Information

Date: Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Time: 11:45 am
Spies (Zion) Cemetery
Address:

318 Spies Church Road
Reading, PA 19606
| Map

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William J. "Billy" Dautrich, please visit our floral store.