Wilmer Maxwell

Wilmer B. Maxwell, 91, of Carlisle, passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. Also known as “Bick” or “Max”, he was born in Newville on March 31, 1923 to the late Raymond and Chloe Maxwell.

A graduate of Newville High School, Wilmer enlisted in the Army, served four years during WWII and retired as a Lt. Colonel with 16 years in the Army Reserves. In WWII, he served with the 179 ^th and the 1259 ^th Engineer Combat Battalions in the USA and France. During his military career, he graduated from Engineer OCS and the Command General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, attended the Museum School of Industrial Arts in Philadelphia, and worked as an artist at the Carlisle Barracks for the Army Security Agency School.

Wilmer moved on to be a personnel director with 35 years experience in the quartz crystal industry, having been employed at Reeves - Hoffman and also at the P. R. Hoffman Co.

Active in many community organizations, Wilmer was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1966 by the Carlisle Lions Club and again in 1968 by the Industrial Management Club. For his service with the Keystone Area Boy Scouts, he was honored with their Silver Beaver Award. He acted as president of the Industrial Management Club, the Carlisle Area Personnel Assoc., and the United Way of Carlisle. Wilmer also served on the board of directors at the YMCA, the Chamber of Commerce, OIC, Perry Historians and the Newville Historical Society, and was the secretary of the Washingtonburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

After retirement, he was the editor and publisher of the Swaim Historical Trust, and cofounded the genealogy website for the Maxwell DNA Study. Not only was he an artist and bird carver, he enjoyed metal detecting and giving presentations on local history. He was an inspiration to all who knew him for his integrity, creativity, kindness, strength in the face of adversity and desire to be of service.

In addition to his loving  wife of 69 years, Betty Fry Maxwell, Wilmer is survived by two sons, Robert Maxwell of Orchard Park, NY; and David Maxwell and wife Sue of Lower Allen Twp.; his daughter, Kathleen Maxwell and husband Lance Clewett of Carlisle; a sister, Barbara Creskoff; his niece, Anne Tomaski, both of Carlisle; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Harold and his daughter-in-law, Lisa.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 12:00 noon in the West Hill United Methodist Church, 2164 Newville Rd., Carlisle, PA with the Rev. Lisa Klinger and Rev. Iva O’Brien officiating. Interment will be in the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the church office, 4133 Enola Rd., Newville, PA 17241. Arrangements are being handled by the Hollinger Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, PA. Condolences to the family may be made at www.hollingerfuneralhome.com .