William Silas Funkhouser, 97, of Strasburg, Virginia passed away on December 10, 2020 at Greenfield Reflections in Strasburg.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 2 PM at Prospect Hill Cemetery, 200 West Prospect Street Front Royal, Virginia.
Mr. Funkhouser was born on December 10, 1923 in Lima, Ohio to the late Guy and Florence Long Funkhouser. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Sager Funkhouser; son, Charles Michael Funkhouser; daughter, Teresa F. Glascock; grandson, William Jared Riley; three sisters and a brother. He was a member of Maurertown Brethren Church and volunteered as a driver for patients going to the Martinsburg Veterans Administration Hospital. He retired from a career of over 40 years with Avtex Corporation in Front Royal.
William served proudly and honorably in the 1st Infantry Division of the US Army during World War II. After volunteering for service in February of 1943 he traveled with the “Big Red One” to North Africa, Sicily and then to England where he trained for Operation Overlord. On D-Day he landed in the storied first wave on Omaha Beach. He remained with his company throughout the European Campaign, through France and then to the Battle of the Bulge, the Siegfried Line and eventually into Czechoslovakia. By VE day he was only one of four remaining soldiers who had been with the company since D-Day. He was honorably discharged in October of 1945, having received European, African and Middle Eastern Service Ribbons with Bronze Arrowhead, the Combat Infantry Badge, a Good Conduct Medal, and a Distinguished Unit Badge.
Survivors include his two daughters, Cherie F. Armel of Winchester, Virginia and Brenda F. Riley of Slanesville, West Virginia; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
His daughters would like to extend their gratitude to the family and friends who have helped to maintain his dignity and livelihood in the last few years.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.
My thoughts and prayers, Cherie, are with you and your family. I am the adopted daughter of Lawrence and Mildred Bowman. We were members of the Maurertown Brethren Church and knew your mother and father.
The nation lost another member of its Greatest Generation with the passing of Mr. Bill Funkhouser. Mr. Funkhouser embodied the best characteristics of that generation and like millions during World War II, fought long and hard for the freedom of people that he didn’t know in other countries . During his “long walk across Europe”, Mr. Funkhouser endured the hardships of weather and battle, but came home, started a family, dedicated over 40 years to one company, and never wore on his sleeve whatever demons the gruesome aspects of combat etched upon his mind. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to meet Mr. Funkhouser. Well done, mission accomplished, and rest in peace.
I remember Bill Funkhouser as being consistent. He never got flustered or angry. He was an honorable man who valued his family. He was kind and compassionate to everyone. He enjoyed kids. The last time we visited him in the nursing home it was time for lunch and he wanted Jonathan, our son to wheel him to the dining room. I do not know who got the biggest kick out of it – Jonathan or Bill.
Brenda, I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Hugs❣️ Ann Miller