William J. Fender, Jr.

August 2, 2023

William “Bill” J. Fender, Jr., 86 of Plains Township, went peacefully to be with Our Lord on Wednesday morning, August 2, 2023 as his home with his wife Marie, and daughters Corinne and Donna at his side.

Born in Swoyersville on December 9, 1936, he was the son of the late William and Mary (Chorba) Fender, Sr.

Bill attended Holy Trinity Elementary school and was a graduate of Swoyersville High School, Class of 1955.  Upon his high school graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Airman 1^st Class, performing NSA work overseas from 1955-1960.

After his honorable discharge from active service, Bill moved to Washington D.C. for opportunities.  He graduated from the D.C. Police Academy in 1962 and began a career as a member of the police force of the United States Supreme Court, spending 10 years protecting the court chambers, until his retirement in 1993.  Bill also worked part time at Safeway Grocery Store as a cashier and evening management duties.  He was liked and respected in both positions.

He spent 35 years in West Hyattsville, Maryland before retiring to Pennsylvania and residing in Plains.  While in Plains, he was an active member of Sacred Heart Church, until its closing and merger, currently Saints Peter & Paul Church, serving on the Bereavement Committee and attending the rosary services.

He enjoyed gardening, having quite a green thumb, and playing the slots at the casino.  He was never afraid to handle any of life’s challenges.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters Mildred Findura, Rita Calabrese, and Irene Sisk, and his brother Thomas Fender.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Marie (Bechetti) Fender, Plains, daughters Corinne Fender and her husband Bob Wagner, Hillsborough, NJ, and Donna Shirdon and her husband Patrick, Hyattsville, MD, grandchildren William, Andrew, Mitchell, and Andrea, adopted family member Joshua, as well as many family, cousins, and friends.

Funeral will be held Monday August 7, 2023 at 9:30 am at the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA  18705, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Saints Peter & Paul Church, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, with Father John C. Lambert, Pastor, officiating.  A Live Stream of the Funeral Mass will be on Saints Peter & Paul Parish FACEBOOK page.  Interment with Military Honors accorded by the United States Air Force and the Plains American Legion, Post 558 Honors Detail, will be held in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Plains.  Family and friends may call Sunday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 100 William Street, Dunmore, PA 18510, or to Saints Peter & Paul Church Food Pantry, 13 Hudson Road, Plains, PA  18705 in Bill memory.