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William (Bill) Thomas Roddey, 80, of Lewistown, passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, surrounded by family.
Bill was born on Jan. 14, 1946, to Mildred Pauline (Dell) and Russell Thomas Roddey of Huntingdon. He attended Huntingdon Area High School and graduated from Juniata College in 1967 with a BA in History. He entered the armed forces and dutifully served for four years as an Air Operations Specialist for the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. After the service, he began a 39-year career in social services as a caseworker and eventual supervisor for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.
Bill was a man of many talents and interests. He loved music and was a part-time disc jockey and host for Merf Radio in the 1980s and 90s. He wrote his own poetry and song lyrics, which he often read aloud at poetry slams in Harrisburg. He was also an avid reader and playwright, having had several of his plays performed both locally and abroad. Bill was quite the comedian with the quickest wit around. He maintained a weekly humor column for the Lewistown Sentinel for 26 years and frequently made submissions to Common Ground magazine. He also had a Penn Live blog of comedic observations and was an author who self-published his book Bald Ain't Beautiful. In the 1980s, he performed stand-up comedy in New York City, wrote jokes that were purchased by other comedians, including Joan Rivers, and wrote for a TV comedy pilot. In his retirement years, Bill enjoyed acting and was cast for roles in several independent movies and a national commercial. Bill loved to travel and counted New York City, Myrtle Beach, London, and Paris among his favorite places to visit.
Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy (Snyder), multiple stepchildren and step-grandchildren, and a daughter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Russell, and his beloved grandson, Jack Thomas Roddey.
Bill's wishes were to be cremated with no viewing or services.
Arrangements have been entrusted to King-Barr Funeral Home, 120 Logan St., Lewistown.