WILLARD SHORT


Willard I. Short

On January 7, 2009, Willard Isaac Short died in the Lutheran Home in York, PA.

He was married to the late Beatrice "Peggy" Short who died in 1993. Mr. Short was born on August 4, 1919, in Georgetown, DE to Roland and Annie Short, the second youngest of nine children. He graduated from college in Baltimore where he majored in mechanical and marine engineering. He then attended turbo-electric school in Chester, PA, where he obtained his chief engineer's license. This enabled Mr. Short to operate any American ship of any horsepower. He was employed by the Atlantic Refining Company. When World War II started, Mr. Short joined the Navy where he served as the chief engineer on Merchant Marine ships. He was torpedoed off the coast of Cape Fear by a German submarine while bringing fuel from Texas to Philadelphia. He was one of eight to survive. A second of his ships was blown up by a magnetic mine off of Cape Henry on its' maiden voyage. He was torpedoed a third time in the North Atlantic while serving on the E.J. Henry. He spent the last two years of the war in the Aleutian Islands. His first daughter was born during this time, although he didn't meet her until she was over a year old.

After the war, Mr. Short resumed working for the Atlantic Richfield Company. He took ships to many foreign countries to obtain fuel. In 1960, Mr. Short came ashore and worked on the design and construction of new ships. He oversaw ships being built in Belgium, Italy, France, and Virginia, including the *USS Enterprise *and *The Prestige*. He retired in 1979. Mr. Short was very involved Bethel Baptist Church, where he had many friends. He enjoyed Pastor Gayle Ryle's Bible study, helping in Bethel Preschool and working in the church office. He loved being Poppop to seven grandchildren. He enjoyed fixing toys, bikes, and just about anything that was broken. He also enjoyed fishing, leather-work, reading the Bible, and vacations in Ocean City, NJ. Mr. Short was a man who loved the Lord and was a great witness to everyone he met. Even at age 88 in the retirement home, he led people to the Lord. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by 3 daughters and sons-in law: Donna and Bob Briggs of Pike Creek, Suzanne and David Thompson of York, PA, and Nancy and Bill Anderson of Cherry Hill, NJ. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves many friends, nieces, and nephews.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 13 at 10 am at the MCCRERY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME 3924 Concord Pike, Wilm., DE 19803 followed by a service at 11 am. The burial will be in Riverview Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian School of York, 907 Greenbriar Road, York, PA 17404.



[published 01/10/2009]

WILLARD SHORT


Willard I. Short

On January 7, 2009, Willard Isaac Short died in the Lutheran Home in York, PA.

He was married to the late Beatrice "Peggy" Short who died in 1993. Mr. Short was born on August 4, 1919, in Georgetown, DE to Roland and Annie Short, the second youngest of nine children. He graduated from college in Baltimore where he majored in mechanical and marine engineering. He then attended turbo-electric school in Chester, PA, where he obtained his chief engineer's license. This enabled Mr. Short to operate any American ship of any horsepower. He was employed by the Atlantic Refining Company. When World War II started, Mr. Short joined the Navy where he served as the chief engineer on Merchant Marine ships. He was torpedoed off the coast of Cape Fear by a German submarine while bringing fuel from Texas to Philadelphia. He was one of eight to survive. A second of his ships was blown up by a magnetic mine off of Cape Henry on its' maiden voyage. He was torpedoed a third time in the North Atlantic while serving on the E.J. Henry. He spent the last two years of the war in the Aleutian Islands. His first daughter was born during this time, although he didn't meet her until she was over a year old.

After the war, Mr. Short resumed working for the Atlantic Richfield Company. He took ships to many foreign countries to obtain fuel. In 1960, Mr. Short came ashore and worked on the design and construction of new ships. He oversaw ships being built in Belgium, Italy, France, and Virginia, including the *USS Enterprise *and *The Prestige*. He retired in 1979. Mr. Short was very involved Bethel Baptist Church, where he had many friends. He enjoyed Pastor Gayle Ryle's Bible study, helping in Bethel Preschool and working in the church office. He loved being Poppop to seven grandchildren. He enjoyed fixing toys, bikes, and just about anything that was broken. He also enjoyed fishing, leather-work, reading the Bible, and vacations in Ocean City, NJ. Mr. Short was a man who loved the Lord and was a great witness to everyone he met. Even at age 88 in the retirement home, he led people to the Lord. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by 3 daughters and sons-in law: Donna and Bob Briggs of Pike Creek, Suzanne and David Thompson of York, PA, and Nancy and Bill Anderson of Cherry Hill, NJ. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves many friends, nieces, and nephews.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, January 13 at 10 am at the MCCRERY MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME 3924 Concord Pike, Wilm., DE 19803 followed by a service at 11 am. The burial will be in Riverview Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian School of York, 907 Greenbriar Road, York, PA 17404.



[published 01/10/2009]