William Henry "Bill" Ireland, 90

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - William Henry "Bill" Ireland of Chestertown died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in Chester River Manor, Chestertown. He was 90.

Born in Burrsville on June 10, 1917, he was the son of the late Marion Milton Sr. and Nellie (Jacobs) Ireland.

Mr. Ireland was educated in Talbot County in Matthewstown School and served proudly in the Civilian Conservation Corps for a year before he returned to farming in Kent County.

On June 10, 1940, he married Edith Young.

Mr. Ireland took a position with Maryland State Roads in 1939; in 1961 he became highway maintenance supervisor, and in 1975 was promoted to resident maintenance engineer.

He retired on July 1, 1979.

Mr. Ireland"s achievements included awards from the Civil Defense Extension Program in Radiological Monitoring, a certificate of service from the state of Maryland for 35 years of faithful service, and the Governors Citation for his outstanding service to the citizens of Maryland.

He was a member of the County Engineers Association of Maryland and Salem United Methodist Church in Fairlee where he served as Lay Speaker, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendant, the men"s club, and sang in the church choir.

He was also a member of Bayside Choirs Barber Shop Quartet, Gideon"s International, and Rock Hall Senior Citizens.

Mr. Ireland enjoyed gardening and was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather.

He was preceded in death by siblings, Milton Price, Samuel Ireland, Ellsworth Ireland, Ruth Fisher, Marion Ireland and Edith Doll.

In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Richard Ireland and his wife, Bonnie Young of Chiefland, Fla.; a daughter, Susanne Bontrager and her husband, Enos of Worton, Md.; two brothers, Marion Ireland and his wife, Marilyn of Chestertown and James Ireland of Chestertown; two sisters, Elizabeth Coleman and her husband, Donald of Chestertown and Katherine Doll and her husband, Frank of Chestertown; five grandchildren, William Bontrager, Karen Bontrager, John Ireland, Beth Ireland, Tracey Ireland; and five great-grandchildren, Matthew, Riley, Ashley, Jarod, and Jake.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Salem United Methodist Church in Fairlee.

Relatives and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Sunday in Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road Chestertown.

Interment will be in Old St. Paul"s Cemetery in Chestertown. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home Chestertown.