William Alfred Earhart

William Alfred Earhart, 87, of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Born in Maytown, he was the son of the late Henry and Mary (McCurdy) Earhart. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 54 years, M. Constance (Smith) Longenecker.

Bill attended Donegal High School, and furthered his education at Lancaster Business College, Elizabethtown College where he earned his B.S. in Education, Temple University, where he earned his M.S. in education and Principal’s Certificate, and he spent a summer studying at San Francisco State College. He worked for Wolf Motor Company, Schick, Inc., and Donegal School District. Through his lengthy career, he worked as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and a basketball coach. He coached Donegal Junior High boys’ basketball, who went on to win a District Championship as seniors. In 1976, he started and was head coach for Donegal High School Varsity girls’ basketball, and they went on to win championships in 1980 and 1981. Four of his players scored 1,000+ points. He was the assistant coach of the 1982 National Champions Elizabethtown College girls’ basketball team, under coach Yvonne Kauffman. He also worked part-time with the Amish Experience for 27 years, Masonic Village for 15 years as a bus driver, Hershey Trolley works, Model Studios in Harrisburg, and WPDC in Elizabethtown as a radio announcer.

Bill was a member of Masonic Lodge #286 F&AM of Columbia, Donegal Rotary Club, the Lancaster Bird Club, past President of the Elizabethtown Lions Club, and past Vice President of Maytown Historical Society. He was a life member at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Maytown, serving on the council three times. He enjoyed playing and coaching basketball, high school and local rec leagues; playing baseball, during high school and Mountville League, and was a fan of the Red Sox from an early age after meeting Ted Williams prior to a Red Sox versus A’s game in Philadelphia; playing softball until he was 72 years old, with Elizabethtown rec leagues; and golfing, where he always walked and carried his own golf bag, rather than riding a cart! He was very involved in dramatics, taking a mini course at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, playing the lead role of William Holden in The Actors of PA production of “Picnic” at the Fulton Opera House in 1973, and was an extra in three movies. Bill also enjoyed announcing for Donegal football games and band, and birding; he raised bobwhite quails for 25 years. A fan of traveling, he visited Europe, the British Isles, France, Scotland, Scandinavia, Florida, San Francisco after course studies, and California; to Victorville where he got to talk to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans at their museum. He was a member of the Highpointers Club, hiking on ten trips with them, including Banff and Jasper National Parks in Western Canada.

In addition to Connie, Bill is survived by his stepchildren, Timothy Longenecker (Emie) of Wrightsville, and Ashley Leese (Michael) of Moorestown, NJ; grandchildren, Trisha Catalfano, Tyler Longenecker, Alexandra Leese, Isabella Leese, Andrew Leese, and Jack Murray; and brother, George Richard “Dick” Earhart (Joan) of Elizabethtown; along with many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his brother, John Earhart; and his parents.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 11AM at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 N. Queen St., Maytown, PA 17550. Burial will follow in Maytown Union Cemetery, adjoining the church. Family and friends are invited to view from 10AM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com.