William Earl Gast Jr.

WILLIAM EARL GAST, JR. (Bill) of Lancaster, PA was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, December 6, 2018 after succumbing to a year-long battle with cancer. He was 94. He is survived by his loving wife of 72-years, Betty J. Ludwig Gast, and their family of -- 3 sons: William R. Gast, married to Vivian A. A. Gast, Ambler, PA; Bradley E. Gast, Gwynedd Valley, PA; Bruce E. Gast, Fort Washington, PA, -- 4 grandchildren: Jane E. Eger (daughter of Bradley), wife of Greg Eger; Victoria A. Shobe (daughter of William and Vivian), wife of Michael Shobe; Maxfield E. Gast (son of Bradley) married to Kathy Gast; Dillon N. Gast (son of Bruce) and -- 3 great-grandchildren: Melody Jane Shobe, Kendrick James Shobe, and Emerson Bradley Gast. Bill was the first-born, September 4, 1924, to the late William E. and Cecile M. Stowell Gast. He was preceded in death by sister, Lois M. Dunlap on May 27, 2004 and is survived by sister, Virginia L. Miller living in Lancaster, PA. Enlisting in the Army, December 1942, Bill postponed his graduation from McCaskey High School in Lancaster, PA. He trained at Fort Knox and Camp Campbell, KY, participated in extensive maneuvers in AZ, and joined with the 743rd Tank Battalion before going overseas in December 1943. On D-Day, in the first wave, he drove his tank onto Omaha Beach in Normandy, France and fought through the five European Battles (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe). His final battle was the liberation of Magdeburg, Germany on the Elbe River just prior to victory in Europe. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1945. Bill was awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Presidential Citation with Arrowhead, the European-African-Middle Eastern Medal with 5 campaign stars, the American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was more recently knighted and presented with The Legion of Honor Medal, France’s highest decoration and also received, in honor of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, the Belgian attestation and Fourragére 1940. In 2009 Bill attended “American Soldiers/Holocaust Survivors Reunion” where he was able to reunite with seven survivors from the Bergen-Belson death camp who were liberated from a train that the 743rd Tank Battalion intercepted. Before retiring in 1990, Bill owned and operated a trucking business and later became a heavy-truck sales specialist for Wolf Motor Company. In retirement, Bill and wife Betty achieved “rock star” status from kids and contemporaries alike, for producing greeting cards, iMovies, and design work from B&B Creations with their exceptional computer skills. A member of the greatest generation, Bill was a hero to his country, an inspiration to those close to him, and he was adored by his family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend William’s Funeral Service at Harvest Bible Church, 1460 Eden Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with The Rev. Jonathan Walters officiating. Interment will take place at Conestoga Memorial Park with Military Honors rendered by the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard and Salute 21. The family will receive friends at the Church on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Harvest Bible Church in William’s memory. A luncheon will follow the interment at The Groff Event Center, 234 W. Orange St., Lancaster, PA 17603.