William K. Gorrell

William Kenneth "Bill" Gorrell, 79, of Felton, PA, passed away peacefully with loved ones by his side on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 after a hard fought battle with lung cancer. Born in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Howard S. Sr., and Naomi (Irwin) Gorrell. He was the loving husband of Mary Jane (Smithson) Gorrell, with whom he just celebrated 37 years of marriage.

Bill grew up in Rossville, MD, attended Overlea High School, and took engineering and trigonometry courses at Essex Community College. He was raised on farms and owned three of his own over the years. Bill had many vocations in his life, including working at Jason Pharmaceuticals, and owned several of his own businesses over the years, including W. K. Gorrell Trucking, Harford Automatic Transmission and Gorrell Auto Radiator and Air Conditioning.

In 2000, Bill became a member of Red Lion Masonic Lodge #649, where he was a 32nd degree Mason, and member of the Scottish Rite. He was also a Knight’s Templar with York-Gethsemane Commandery #21. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 455, and a member of Benedict Mead VFW Post 7046 in Stewartstown, PA. He served on the Zoning Hearing Board and was a former supervisor of East Hopewell Township. He was also a retired Pennsylvania State Constable.

Bill had many hobbies and passions. He wrote a book and poems. He also built and drove race cars, flew airplanes, fixed and restored old clocks, planted and grew tobacco in North Carolina, butchered and cured meats, gardened and canned, made wine, cheese, sauerkraut, and loved cooking. He was an avid hunter, fisher and trapper.

Bill deeply cherished his family. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Mary Jane; three children, Barbara A. Baker, Aaron C. Gorrell and his significant other Shelley Streett, Kaitlyn M. Miller and her husband Robert; grandchildren, Matthew and Zachariah Baker and granddog Bear; sister, Dr. Lenita N. Gorrell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents; brother, Howard S. Gorrell Jr.; and his beloved yellow lab Daisy.

A viewing will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation, Inc., 19 S. Main St., Stewartstown, PA 17363 from 6-8pm. A second viewing will be held Friday, February 28th at the funeral home from 10-11am with the funeral service starting at 11am. Interment will immediately follow the service at St. Paul United Methodist Cemetery in Pylesville, MD. Feel free to dress casually and/or wear flannel to all services, as Bill would have liked.