William C. Fike

William C. Fike died on Tuesday January 2, 2018 in Worcester, MA. He was a longtime member of Brockway, PA.who was active in the community.  He was predeceased by his wife of fifty six years, Eudora A. Fike (Feldman) and his daughter Dawn R. Fike.  He leaves a son Robert W. Fike and his wife Terry M. of Oxford, MA with whom he resided for over ten years, five grandchildren and four great grandsons.  William served in the U.S.N. during World War II raising through the ranks as a Boatswain’s Mate.  He was involved in several sea battles and landings.  He served on the Cruiser, the USS Vincennes during the battle of Savo Island where he was sunk.  He was also in the task force which accompanied Major Doolittle on his raid of Japan. He also landed on several beach heads including Guado Canal.  After being sunk at the battle of Savo Island, he was rescued fourteen hours later and was stationed in a P.T. Boat Squadron. His final action in the war was piloting the surrendered  Japanese sailors and ships to a safe harbor. Once he returned from war, he married Eudora Feldman and made a family, adding a son and a daughter who contracted Cerebral Palsy. As a result of his daughter’s illness and his love for the family, he became an avid advocate for the disabled.  He was instrumental in forming regulations to protect their right.  He also established the first work shop for handicapped children followed by building a resident center for these young adults who could go from work shop to home just steps away. He was also chairman of many organizations which led him to be the head of State and Federal Boards, speaking in front of Congress in an effort to introduce many laws protecting the disabled. He was educated in a one room school house on Crenshaw Hill in Brookville. Retired, William was involved in transportation his entire working career, starting out as a spotter for a trucking company, and at his retirement was serving as the president. He also received his license as an ICC Practitioner.  Calling hours will be on Wednesday, January 10 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Carlson-Shugarts Funeral Home Inc. in Brockway. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM at the funeral home, with  Rev. Terry Felt officiating. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Brockway. Full Military Honors will be accorded by Parson-Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion Wednesday morning at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donors choice. 
 

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