Mayor William J. "Bill" Messick

SEAFORD, Del. - Mayor William J. "Bill" Messick, 75, a long time resident of Federalsburg and mayor of Federalsburg from 1991 to 1993 died at his home in Seaford, Del. on Friday, June 15, 2007.

He was born March 10, 1932, at Eldorado in Dorchester County the son of the late James Edward Kemp Messick and Lucille "Lula" Murphy Messick.

He was a graduate of Federalsburg High School, class of 1949 and then attended Goldey Business College in Wilmington, Del., where he received his degree in general accounting. He then served in the Army from 1952 to 1955 working out of Vinthill Farms Station in Warrenton, Va. as a Morse Code interceptor at the Army Security Agency.

He retired as a district supervisor from Delmarva Power and Light last working at their Harrington, Del. office, after 40 years of service.

He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church for 54 years and sang in the choir for 50 years. He was a former president of its Administrative Board and served in several other administrative positions. He was a member of and sang tenor for the Christian Troupers Gospel Group that sang all over the Eastern Shore and beyond for many years.

Mayor Messick was very active as a coach for Little League and Pony League baseball teams in Federalsburg. He was also a member of the ViINGT CiING Club for having been an employee of Delmarva Power and Light for more than 25 years.

In his early years he enjoyed playing pool and before and after his retirement he enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world as his health allowed.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Margaret "Peggy" Cralle Messick who he married on Oct. 29, 1955 and three children, Barbara Lynn Williamson of St. Leonard, Mark B. Messick and William Sterling Messick both of Seaford, Del.; five grandchildren, Nicholas Williamson, Luke Williamson, James Edward Messick, Emily Messick and Amy Messick and a brother, Eugene C. Murphy of Canyon Lake, Texas.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, James Edward Messick and Richard Andrew Mitchell and a sister, Alice Faye Cecil.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, at Christ United Methodist Church in Federalsburg, with the Rev. Dale Evans and the Rev. Dan Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in Federalsburg. Friends may call at the church on Wednesday from noon to 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 109 Park Lane Federalsburg, MD 21632 or Delaware Hospice Inc. 600 Dupont Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.

The Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg is handling the arrangements.