William G. St. Clair

William G. St. Clair, 86, of New Holland, died unexpectedly at his home on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Born in Sonestown, PA he was the son of the late William F. and Josephine (Stackhouse) St. Clair. His wife, Audrey L. (Shultz) St. Clair, died May 10, 2004.

William graduated from Davidson Township High School in Sonestown in 1946, Williamsport Technical Institute in Williamsport in 1950, International Correspondence School in Scranton in the 1950’s, Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster in 1950’s–60’s, along with many company management training courses, many technical training courses from IBM & Unisys, conventions and seminars.

He served in the US Air Force where he was assigned to the Air Force Headquarters in the Pentagon. After being discharged in 1949 he went to work for the New Holland Machine Company in New Holland as an operator of IBM Tabulating machines. In the mid 1950’s he was promoted to supervisor and in 1959 promoted to manager of the department.

In 1960 he installed one of the first large scale Univac computers and later began to consult the Belleville Plant in adopting New Holland systems. He coordinated the installation of systems and equipment at the new Grand Island plant in Nebraska, and also consulted the plants in Belgium, France, England and Australia in establishing New Holland systems and equipment.

In 1970 he became a full-time Information Systems Plant Administrator to the New Holland plants and was successful in establishing “new” Data Processing equipment installations and the adaption of New Holland systems in all of the plants.

He began work in 1950 with Sperry New Holland Company and retired in 1991 from Case-New Holland after several ownerships (Remington, Unisys, Ford and Fiat.

He was a member of the St. Stephen United Church of Christ, New Holland American Legion, Liberty Fire Company, past president of the New Holland Kiwanis, and past president of the New Holland Chapter of AARP. He also served as past president and director of New Holland Community Memorial Park Board and was instrumental in the formation of the New Holland Summer Arts organization and the summer programs. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, lawn work, gardening, family genealogy, personal computers, weekly card games, and his family.

Surviving is a daughter, Amy Jo, married to David Fakolt of Lancaster, three grandchildren, Jennifer Kirk, Jeffrey Eveland, and James Fakolt; five great grandchildren, Joshua, Ryan, Meghan, Katherine, and Christian; and a brother, John St. Clair of Muncy Valley.

Preceding him in death is a daughter, Diane Lee Eveland in 1996; a sister, Marian R. Yoder; and a brother James St. Clair.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. The family would like to thank his friends and neighbors for looking after him over the past few years. To send the family online condolences visit us at www.beckfuneral.com. Arrangements by Beck Funeral Home, New Holland.