Bill and I first met in ninth grade, as freshmen in Poly A. We mutually decided to drop to the B course after two years; ignoring faculty counseling, and we both regretted doing so. Each an only child, living on opposite sides of the city, but we were like brothers. We will miss Uncle Bill, he was honest,trustworthy, and considerate of all.

Mr. Pheifer was my physical education teacher at Franklin High School in the l960's.  I still remember him all these years later.  He was a great asset to the school.

Mr Pfeifer was my jr. high Sunday school teacher at St Thomas'.  He was such a kind and gregarious and wonderful man.  I remember having such great admiration for him.  He was a class act through and through.
Praying for all his family.  He will be greatly missed.

I am truly sorry for your loss. May you take comfort in knowing that God is close to the brokenhearted, and others are praying in your behalf.

Bill is without doubt the most genuine, open-hearted man I ever met. He accepted me into the family immediately, no hesitation, just warmth and immediate relaxation, as if I had always been there. He gave me the feeling that I truly belonged. In that sense, Bill is and always will be a true friend.

Dear friend Trey, we wish to extend our most sincere condolences to you, on the loss of your father. Although, we did not have the pleasure to know him personally, we have no doubt that, due to the moral and human legacy left in his son, he must have been an excellent person.
Please, receive our most supportive embrace.

A tremendous man,educator,leader, and family man! Bill was an inspiration to all whoever came in contact with him! His dedication to Ms. Virginia Fowble in her time of need was amazing to see-he truly was the son that Sheriff and Virginia never had! Bill's dedication to his faith, his family, and friends is an example that all of us would do well to follow.

Gifts from my Father

Sitting in the front seat of our blue Chevrolet station wagon- just me and my Dad- he is humming and whistling and singing parts of a Frank Sinatra song and he turns to me---

"Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes...Da Da Da dee Da Da Da dee..."

I knew he hadn't made it up himself, but I felt like he'd sung that especially for me. Like, from then on and all my life, I would be the one with the stars in her eyes.

He wasn't a great singer, but he channeled Frank's smooth carefree ease. Nothing was wrong in the world of Frank and Bill.

"Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars..."

He taught me how to change a tire.
He trusted me.
He was respectful.

He LOVED Christmas. Loved sitting in the dark after decorating the tree, enjoying the quiet white lights. He hid the tiny angels for me to find and the pickle for the boys. He set up the train garden with his old set and the mirror lake with the little Indian in his canoe. Fruitcake and warm greetings to everyone, then making endless drinks at the bar and every year "Old Marley was dead as a doornail." Dad made Christmas Merry indeed.

He played airplane with us on the floor, after work- happily putting each kid's belly on his stockinged feet and lifting us high in the air, arms out, engine noises, balancing balancing...until we fell laughing together. Next! 

He let us have pets! Missy, Pepe, Nettie and Willy our beloved dogs. Unnamed hamsters ( was one Esther?), Red Baron the guinea pig who died in the rain and Dad helped me bury, little smashed lizard on the windowsill, mice he eventually freed in the field, goldfish and some box turtles that wandered into our yard.
 ( Box turtles used to roam wild in the suburbs- does anyone remember that?! Where'd they go??!)

We got to live next to a baseball field. It had the softest, softest powdery dirt that would poof and squeak between your toes when you'd run the bases, after everyone went home. I'm pretty sure Dad had something to do with that. Bill loved the game. I can't watch a game without thinking of him.

He created the magic of summer- lawnmower going, fresh cut green grass, the game on the radio, grilled burgers,steamed crabs and our only air conditioner in Mom and Dad's room where we escaped the Baltimore humidity. Driving down the bumpy road to see Dad at his summer job at the big pool- I became a dolphin and a mermaid until he blew the whistle at dusk.

Jumping the waves forever in the ocean- with his ready grasp to lift me UP UP and over and gently down until I could touch bottom. The pop! Of cold beer cans from the cooler and his voice- kind and relaxed- shooting the breeze with Mom, the Grandparents, Lloyd or George and Mary, late on a gorgeous day at the beach.

Oh yes, and he gave me my eventual massage career. A penny a minute to massage his bald head while he watched TV. 

Massage became the way we could talk in more recent times- a way to tell each other I love you.

His sweet tooth. Donuts! There were donuts of joy! He loved donuts and on many a Sunday he came beaming home, box of 12 in hand and we ate them all in happiness. And his desk drawer at work always had candy- the good kind that you'd get trick-or-treating. I suffer the pitfalls of the sweets to this day, but my Dad was so happy- how can a donut be bad?!

His smile and his twinkling eyes.

He would never let me get too serious- and I was always too serious. He'd make a joke, pull a face or poke fun at me. I finally received that gift- took a while.

When I was seven, on Valentines Day he gave me a gold sea turtle scarab pin. I treasured it. Took it to college with me, but a box of my things never made it into the car when I went home for the summer. There is a hole in my heart in the shape of a sea turtle even now.

His soft heart. His kindness and generosity. His even-keeled pace. His care for others. His trust in God.

His good friend Bruce, who shares the love of hotdogs with Dad, told me a story about a visit to Kauffman's for said dogs.....
As they sat eating-what my brother swears are boiled Oscar Meyer with Hormel chili-hotdogs, a homeless man came in to get dinner. My Dad quietly told the waitress he'd pay for it because -- certainly looked like the guy could use some help.  I have the sense that this happened throughout his life.

He gave me all of these gifts, rolled up like a pearl and tucked into my heart. And like a little shell found on an early morning beach walk, I made a secret home for them.

And all the moments, in this too short time with him, that I cannot recall, are only love. In a way, we never said a lot to each other. It wasn't a talking relationship, but there was a deep heart understanding between us.

And I praise and thank my amazing Mother for her unending service to my Father. Never a complaint, always researching new healing options, always making the food he loved, playing the old movies he like,keeping him company, and always some Frank in his world. She kept his dignity in tact. She preserved their love and their beautiful marriage even when he no longer spoke.

Every night- "Come on Bill, let's dance" she'd say, as they balanced and swayed while she pulled up his pants. He still had a twinkle in his eyes for her,  his loving wife.

I made a life with these gifts from my Mother and Father. I took the best of both. What a great pair those two- like something out of an old movie- sweet, simple, happy..An Affair to Remember.

Bill stayed here with us as long as he could twinkle and smile. And now, somewhere in the Mystery, he is doing his work of joy, whatever that is....

"Fill my heart with song
Let me sing forever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, in other words
I. Love. You  

Thank you Dad... "... if we found us here, how should we lose the touch in a world more light?"

I love you forever.

"Our memories of Bill will always inspire us. He gave so much to us all and so easily. Bill brought compassion, kindness & happiness wherever he went with sparkling eyes & a heart touching smile. His spirit is a shining example for every one of us. We feel so very lucky to have shared in his short time on this earth. And if you believe in angels-in-training, well, Bill was definitely one of them."

"Our memories of Bill will always inspire us. He gave so much to us all and so easily. Bill brought compassion, kindness & happiness wherever he went with sparking eyes & a heart touching smile. His spirit is a shining example for every one of us. We feel so very lucky to have shared in his short time on this earth. And if you believe in angels-in-training, well, Bill was definitely one of them."

On behalf of Dr. Leslie Londeree, Dr. Jessica Brunnett and staff we send our warmest condolences to the Pfeifer family.  Mr. Pfeifer was a warm gentle soul and we will miss him.  Please know our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

I will miss my visits with Bill. He always seemed happy and his smile would fill my heart, as it did to all who knew him. You were a special man, Bill! My love and sympathy to Mary Lou and the family.

What a wonderful man. He was the best principal to me, my twin sister, and all the students. I also played soccer with Tim and Trey. Such great memories!

Mr. Pfeifer was always well liked and respected as the principal of Parkville High School. He never was afraid to get involved. I will always remember him fondly.

Mr. Pfeifer was such a great man. He ended his career at Overlea HS as my principal. We later connected through baseball, both as members of the Fowble Foundation. It turns out he was Sheriff Fowble's first baseball captain and I was his last, decades apart. Nothing but fond memories of him. May he Rest In Peace.

Leslie and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.  My husband attended Parkville High School and spoke very highly of your father.  I did not make the connection until now.

Warmest Aloha to Mr. Pfeifer's family.  He was a wonderful, kind and  compassionate man.  We were so lucky to have had him as our Principal at Parkville High.  May he rest in peace.

Mr. Pfeifer was an assistant principal at Cockeysville Middle School when I went there in the late 60's and I remember him as a kind , friendly and compassionate man . I was a bit of trouble in those years and despite having to discipline me I knew that he liked me as a person and kind of chuckled at some of my youthful stupidity . He was a great guy who always made me feel like I mattered . My condolences to the family . Take care ,Mr. Pfeifer .

My sympathies to the family of Mr. Pfeifer.  I remember him as a warm and caring Principal at Parkville High who looked out for all of the students. He also had a sense of humor and had a little fun with us when we shot a vignette featuring him in the senior slide show!  May he rest in eternal peace. 
Stacy Akers-Alford, Class of 1985

Mr. Pfeifer, the quintessential principal and gentleman...I graduated from Parkville Senior High School in 1984 where Mr. Pfeifer was an excellent role model and guide for both the student body, faculty, and staff. - My deepest, and most sincere condolences to his beautiful wife and family.  Laura Friedman-Dugan

My condolences to Mr. Pfeifer's family & friends.  He was a great Principal and always had a smile on his face.  Class of 1981.

Mr. Pheifer... you will always be remembered, Sir.  God Bless you and your family.  A very kind and intelligent man, indeed.  
Class of 1986.

Godspeed good friend and prayers for your family from one of the Class of 1981.

Mr. Pfiefer was a wonderful principal at Parkville who always cared for his students and teachers and allowed us to learn in a safe and happy environment.   His love of his job and pride for the school really came across.   PARKVILLE Senior High School!   May he Rest In Peace and know that he touched so many lives for the better.   Maryann (Harrigan) Johnson - 1984

"Sneaks" was my Phys Ed teacher at Franklin HS 1958-59. He was our Baseball Coach too.
Later in life when I got out of the Navy, I was coaching my daughters' softball team and Bill had a daughter playing in the same league. It was good to see him. He later became my daughters' principal at Parkville. Small world.
He was a good man. 
Sonny Walker

He was such a kind and supportive man and made me feel special, just about every time I stopped by his office.  He seemed committed to making Parkville Sr. High a safe and welcoming place for us to grow up.  I have and will always remember him fondly.  Not surprised to see that many others feel the same way.  My condolences to his family.  Class of '81.

Prayers for the family. Such a great man! So kind! 
Class of '80

Mr. Pfeifer will always be cherished as my principle. I appreciated his respect and encouragement, and speaking on my behalf to my father.

What a wonderful principal. I am glad he was at Parkville during my time there. My condolences to his family. He touched many lives at Parkville. Thank you for sharing him with us.

A very kind and dedicated man. My prayers are with you. Tim Percival, Parkville Sr. H.S., 1980

He was a sweet man.  Such a loss.  Prayers for the family.  Class of 85'.

Wonderful man!  Great memories of him from class of 1986.

Mr. Pfeifer was my High School Principal at Parkville in the 80's. I remember him as always having a smile for us in the hallway, and was never too busy to talk to any student - he was always generous with his time when you needed him. Thanks for your years of dedication to us all Mr. P.

Such fond memories of Mr. Pfeifer at Parkville High School. He was the best!  Class of 1983

 To the family of William Pfeifer Jr. I would like to express my condolence to you may the God of comfort bring comfort to you with his right arm extended to you Isa.41:10

Mr. Pfeifer was a favorite principal at Parkville. I remember him participating in our senior games. May his family find peace knowing he touched so many.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Mary Lou and Family,
Bill was one of nicest, kindest, fairest, and most decent people I ever met in my 43 years of teaching. His example will be a hard one to follow. My prayers are with all of you.

My condolences to the family. May you find comfort and hope through God's word and prayer.

OBITUARY

William Henry Pfeifer Jr.

11 January, 1932 – 19 October, 2017

Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley Inc.

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services