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Page 22 February 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

Distant View

In addition to Bill Zentz’s many years of service as a Life Member of the
Thurmont Guardian Hose Company, including over twenty years as its treasurer,
he served as the treasurer of the Blue Ridge Cemetery Association from 2006
through 2013. Bill resided with his wife, Candy, and children, Jessica, Warren,
and Carroll, at his beloved home, Distant View, on Kelbaugh Road.

William Philip Zentz
1947 - 2017 Distant View
~ Poem by childhood friend, Denny Black
William (Bill) Philip Zentz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend
January 12, 1947 December 20, 2017

William Philip Zentz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, passed away
peacefully, surrounded by his family, on the morning of Dec. 20, 2017, at the Kline Hospice
House, following a courageous six-year battle with dementia.
Born Jan. 12, 1947, in Alexandria, Virginia, Bill was the eldest son of the late Philip and
Betty Zentz, and the brother of Patricia Zentz Moning and the late H. Alan Zentz. Bill was a Photo of Distant View by John A. Kinnaird
lifetime resident of Thurmont and devoted husband of Candy S. Zentz. Bill’s greatest joy was
his wife, his three children, his grandchildren, and his home, Distant View. He nurtured and
supported the children’s many interests and activities, and he took great pride in maintaining
his home. Bill graduated from Thurmont High School, Class of 1965. He enjoyed keeping
in touch with his childhood friends and members of his graduating class. After graduating
from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a degree in business administration,
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army; he was trained as a field artillery and intelligence specialist. In
1970, he was sent to Phu Bai, and then to Firebase Nancy, a hilltop several miles outside High upon a verdant hill,
of Quang Tri City and near the DMZ. He was a Vietnam Veteran and proud to have served Above the glen he knew,
in the United States Army. After returning home from the war, Bill completed his master’s He dwelled there through a life of toil,
degree at Frostburg State University, and then graduated from the Stonier Graduate School His home at Distant View.
of Banking at Rutgers University. He began his thirty-five-year career in banking at the
Thurmont Bank, and he assisted with the mergers of Nations Bank, Sovereign Bank, and Was there within this special home,
Bank of America. Following his retirement, he spent several years working for Ferko, the Through years of joy and grieve,
Frederick County Teachers Association Credit Union. Held his children in his arms,
Bill led an active life of service in his community. He was a life member of the Thurmont And vowed would never leave.
Guardian Hose Company and the American Legion Post 7. He was also a member of the
Thurmont Grange #407 and the Thurmont AMVETS. In addition, he served as treasurer of As passing years would take their toll,
the Guardian Hose Company for twenty years, and he was a member and past chairman of His faith would see him through,
the Frederick County Vocational-Technical Advisory Council for twenty years. In addition to Time for him to leave had come,
his wife of nearly forty-five years, Candy, Bill will be greatly missed by his daughter, Jessica Beyond the glen he knew.
Zentz-Ridenour, and her husband, John, of Emmitsburg; son, Carroll D. Zentz, and his wife,
Kristen, of Mount Airy; son, Warren P. Zentz, of Washington, D.C.; Ben Irving; sister, Patricia Just beyond the starry sky,
Zentz Moning, and husband Clark of Hagerstown; aunt, Connie Fox, and husband, Tom, There is a place anew.
of Thurmont; sister-in-law, Suzie Zentz, of West Orange, New Jersey; and special nieces, God holds him now within His arms,
nephews, cousins, and friends. Bill was the proud grandfather of Adeline H. Ridenour and And home to Distant View.
Grayson E. Ridenour, and he was looking forward to the birth of his third grandchild in
February. Bill had a very special place in his heart for his French daughter, Sarah Delaveaud
Hair. The family served as Sarah’s host family from France during her stay at Hood College,
and she is considered a member of the Zentz family. Bill will be fondly remembered by dear
friends, Carroll Lee Shry, Jr. & Lori Soufiane; Anita & Ken Drye; Michelle & Sidney Kandel;
Denny Black; Richard Mathias; Doug & Laura Fornwald; and David & Diane Stottlemeyer.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Eric G. Bush, chief medical officer
of the Hospice of the Chesapeake, for his compassionate care and support throughout the
past five years. The family would also like to express sincerest appreciation to the staff of
Daybreak Adult Day Services, as well as the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Frederick
County, who enriched the final two years of Bill’s life and helped keep him comfortable with
kindness and loving care.
A celebration of Bill’s life was held during a memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec.
23 at the Stauffer Funeral Home in Thurmont. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. on
Friday, Dec. 22, and 9-10 a.m. prior to the memorial service at Stauffer Funeral Home. Bill
was buried with full military honors at the Blue Ridge Cemetery, beside his parents, brother,
grandparents, and other members of the Zentz family.
Bill will be sadly missed and joyfully remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family has
requested that contributions in Bill’s memory be made to Guardian Hose Company, 21 N.
Church St., Thurmont, MD 21788; Daybreak Adult Day Services, 7819 Rocky Springs Road,
Frederick, MD 21702; or Hospice of Frederick County, 516 Trail Ave., Frederick, MD 21701.