William E. Kreider, 65, president and treasurer of the W. L. Kreider Shoe Manufacturing Company, Palmyra, and a prominent church and civic leader, died this morning in Harrisburg Hospital. He was 65.
Death came to the distinguished Palmyra resident at 2:17 a.m., just twenty minutes after his arrival at the hospital in a Palmyra ambulance.
He was stricken with a heart attack at his home, 430 East Main Street, while making preparations to retire Sunday night. He had suffered a similar attack in his office at the shoe company three months ago.
His sudden death came as a profound shock to his many friends and employees, who held him in high esteem for his many charitable and civic works.
As a member of the Board of Trustees of the First EUB Church, Palmyra, he had earned the respect and confidence of a host of church workers and members. He had retired only last year as a teacher of the Loyal Workers Sunday School class of the church after 47 years in that capacity.
A native of Palmyra, he was president of the shoe company for the past 30 years, having taken over the business from his father and grandfather before him. His parents were the late David A. and Minnie (Erb) Kreider.
The distinguished manufacturer was also noted in social welfare work through his long and unselfish service with the Family and Children's Service of Lebanon County.
His civic and charitable activities were well known throughout the state, as well as in Lebanon County.
A member of the Lebanon County Chamber of Commerce, he was highly respected for his participation in many civic activities. He was one of the charter members of the Palmyra Rotary Club and served on its board of directors for 35 years. In addition he was a past president of the organization.
Always interested in his own community as well as in his business connections throughout the East, the Palmyra manufacturer was vice-president of the Palmyra Bank and Trust Company.
He was also president of the Kreider-Creveling Shoe Company, Boston, Mass., which he helped organize 30 years ago. Among his business affiliations were his membership and past directorships in the Central Pennsylvania Shoe and Leather Association and the National Shoe Manufacturing Association. During World War II he served on several boards, including the Ration Board.
Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Mabel (Geiman) Kreider; a son, David H. Kreider, Palmyra; a daughter, Mrs. Jack Fisher, Miami Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Longenecker, Elizabethtown, and Mrs. Raymond Evans, Hershey; and five brothers: David C., Hershey; and Irvin, Paul, Harry and Raymond, all of Palmyra.
Lebanon Daily News - April 20, 1953