William J. Ahtes, Jr., 92
William J. Ahtes, Jr. "Bill" passed away peacefully in Salisbury, Maryland on November 20, 2022.
Born in Salisbury on May 23,1930, Bill was the son of William J. and Ethel Mae (nee Tingle) Ahtes.
He attended East Salisbury Elementary School, Admiral Farragut Military Academy, Wicomico High School (Class of 1948), and Salisbury State College. He joined the U.S. Navy (1948-1949) and served on the USS Leyte, CV-32 aircraft carrier as a radar operator. He then joined the U.S. Air Force (1950-1954) during the Korean War. The love he had for his country and sense of commitment continued throughout his life. On arrival home from active service in 1954, he worked with his parents in their two restaurants, the Ship Cafe in Ocean City and Bill's Seafood Inn in Salisbury. During his ten years in the restaurant business, Bill became owner of Bill's Seafood Inn and Casa Del Rey.
In 1964, he left the restaurant business and began working for realtor, J. Fred Flowers & Associates. Within two years, he was able to open his own real estate office and by 1970, W.J. Ahtes & Co. had become the area's largest real estate company. Seven years later, he merged his company with Hanna Real Estate forming the Ahtes and Hanna Group, Realtors. In 1978, the company merged with Hugh McLaughlin's Town and Country Real Estate. The new company was renamed Ahtes, Hanna, McLaughlin in 1984 and moved to One Plaza East, the former Wicomico Hotel.
In addition to being a successful realtor, he was an accomplished developer and a creative entrepreneur. His developments included residential neighborhoods and commercial areas including Canal Woods, Parkhurst, Nottingham Woods, City Center on West Main Street, One Plaza East (formerly Wicomico Hotel), Northwood Business Center, Northwood Industrial Park, Salisbury Factory Outlet Stores, South Salisbury Plaza, and Gunby's Galleria. Entrepreneurial skills were apparent when he helped establish Salisbury Pewter, Inc. and opened an art gallery.
Over the years, Bill served on Advisory Boards that included the First National Bank, City of Salisbury Parking Commission, Salvation Army, Central City District Commission, Wicomico County Tourism, City Marina, and The Joseph House. He was a Founding Member and Director of the Greater Salisbury Committee, Chairman of Urban Salisbury, Inc. and an active member of the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team R/UDAT).
Bill was ever so grateful and always modest when recognized for his service and achievements. Among the many awards he received were the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce Award (1985), Downtown Salisbury Award (1997), Urban Salisbury Award (2010), and the Salisbury Award (2013). As a small business owner, he maintained an impressive work ethic and enjoyed working with people throughout his career in the restaurant business, real estate, and property development.
His services to the community spanned decades. He was proud to be a lifelong resident of Salisbury and eager to help preserve its history, find solutions for its economic problems and help establish a promising future for the community. He not only was a great visionary, but had the remarkable ability to create a practical plan and put it in motion. He helped restore and revitalize downtown Salisbury. He valued preservation, yet recognized the importance of economic solutions for the business community. In spite of his enormous success, he encountered many obstacles, losses, and disappointments. He credited his love of God, family and friends, and the community of Salisbury with helping him to overcome challenges and face the future with optimism. Perhaps his friend, Frank Perdue, expressed it best with a hand-written note that he mailed to Bill in August, 1984. "You are a great asset to our community as evident by all the tough tasks you have undertaken and conquered."
A broad range of volunteer work, activities, and interests included being a Special Deputy Sheriff for eight years and a lifetime member of the Elks Club. For many years he was an active volunteer for the Salvation Army, The Optimist Club, KAIR in Marathon, FL, and The Joseph House. Helping the poor and homeless was always the underlying purpose, and he made a continuing effort to do so for a lifetime. Special interests he enjoyed were traveling with his wife, Maud, flying, skydiving, golf, playing the piano, and gym workouts.
He was a devout member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury and the Marathon Community United Methodist Church in Marathon, FL. Bill was the beloved husband of Maud (nee Lekites) for 45 years.
Loving father to Michele Jackson, Apex, NC, Michael Ahtes, Catawba, SC, David (Belinda) Ahtes, Fort Lawn, SC, Renee Ahtes, Rock Hill, SC, Philip Ahtes, Laurel, DE, Annette Ahtes, Riverview, FL, Pamela Marx, Raleigh, NC, and Steven Ahtes, Middletown, DE. And loving step-father to Robin (Phil) Corbin, Salisbury, MD and Quill (Mary Ann) Chandler, Jr., Conesus, NY. Cherished grandfather to Landon Fox, Evan Ahtes, Daniel Crawford, Peyton Jayne Ahtes, Elizabeth Anne Attonen, Kaylee Chandler, Jesse LeJeune, Michelle LeJeune, Krista Corbin and Jessica Corbin. Cherished great-grandfather to Silas Crawford, Auckland Fox, Carson Crawford, Elijah LeJeune, John Nesbitt. Luna Nesbitt, Laila Green and Skylar Easley. Treasured brother to Jim Ahtes and uncle to nephew, Jim.
Bill will be thought of as kind and generous. Humble and grateful. Comforting and supportive. Humorous and fun. Bright and full of sunshine.
He will be remembered. He will be missed.
Visitation was held on Monday, November 28, from 11am to Noon at Trinity Life Center, 31193 Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.
A memorial service followed at Noon on Monday, November 28 at Trinity Life Center, 31193 Mt. Hermon Road, Salisbury, MD 21804.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Joseph House, 812 Boundary Street, Salisbury, MD 21801.