William C. "Bill" Zinnert Jr., age 90, of Catonsville, Maryland passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
Bill was a Veteran and Patriot, loved life and people, and never failed to bring a smile to the face of every person he met! Bill was born in Maryland to parents, William C. Sr. and Sylvia Zinnert; Beloved husband of the late Joan Helen Kohler Zinnert; Loving father of Doreen E. Zinnert Harwood, and William C. Zinnert III and wife Joanne; Cherished grandfather William C. Zinnert IV, Seth W. Harwood, Leah A. Zinnert; Dear brother of Susan Huber and the late Martha Zinnert, and Gordon Zinnert.
Bill grew up in Baltimore, Maryland to Germany/Irish parents where he was the oldest of four children - and as was said by his mother “what one child didn’t think of Bill did!” He attended 14 Holy Martyrs Elementary School, Calvert Hall High School and, upon graduation, joined the U.S. Army where he served from 1951 to 1954 in Germany - the first of a 50 year military career in active, reserve and guard status. On leave from Germany, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Joan Helen née Kohler, who he met at a Calvert Hall - Elizabeth Seton High School “mixer” traditional in the 1950s. Bill completed his active duty service with the Army and transitioned to a job with the Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P) Telephone Company where he worked as a PBX repairman in and around Baltimore. Eventually, Bill and Joan settled in a little house in Arundel Hills where they raised their children, Doreen & Bill, were active in the St. Philip Neri Parish and began their lifelong love of travel and achieved their goal of seeing all 50 states!
Bill’s military , patriotism and desire to “give back to his community” led him to be involved in many organizations to include President of the Arundel Hills Improvement Association; being a Lector at St. Philip Neri Church; the American Legion where he was commander of both the Arbutus and Ferndale Posts and ran the Ferndale Parade for multiple years; the Glen Burnie Sheriff’s Department managing Sunday Mass traffic; the Air National Guard where he graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officers Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee; the Knights of Columbus where he was Santa Clause for the children of Stewartstown; and, the Army Reserves. His greatest volunteer activity was “Operation Patriotism” - a Program of Military Flags & Uniforms from 1632 to Present. For over 40 years, and supported by the American Legion, Bill shared the history of our nation with Boy Scout Troops, Elementary, Middle and High Schools, Senior Citizen Centers, Community Organizations, the Annapolis State House and even the National Security Agency. Together with Legion and VFW members, he brought U.S. history to life, encouraged patriotism, love of the flag and our country.
Bill retired from the Phone Company at age 55, and kept himself engaged with people by becoming a limousine driver, which ultimately led him to a position as head of Security at Citibank in Hunt Valley. This prompted a move to Stewartstown, Pennsylvania where Bill and Joan continued to travel, were active in various community organizations, and gave their grandchildren, Bill, Seth & Leah, endless experiences “in farm county” walking and sledding the Stewartstown Golf Course, visiting the town library, enjoying trips on the Stewartstown Railroad, riding the four-wheeler around the property, taking the annual trip to Hershey Park, and spending every holiday together.
Bill and Joan moved back to Maryland in 2013 and into Charlestown Senior Living Community in order to be closer to family and friends. Not surprisingly, Bill’s welcoming smile, ability to tell an old joke, coupled with a booming baritone voice quickly made him a well-known and well-loved resident. The greatest loves in Bill’s life were Joan, his wife of 68 years, his children and grandchildren, multiple dogs and grand-dogs, and the country that afforded him a full life and the opportunity to serve🇺🇸
Family and friends are invited to gather at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc. 7250 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, Maryland 21075 (Exit 6 South off Route 100) on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 3:00 - 5:00pm and 7:00 - 9:00pm where a Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 10:00am. Military Honors Interment Meadowridge Memorial Park. A luncheon reception to follow at Cured18th & 21st, 10980 Grantchester Way, #110, Columbia, Maryland 21044.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garylkaufmanfuneralhome.com for the Zinnert family.
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