William E. Douglass

William “Bill” Ernest Douglass, 66, of Honesdale, died Saturday at home. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Mary Ellen Kelly, R.N. The couple married on July 17, 1982.

Born on April 17, 1949, in Johnson City, N.Y., he was the son of the late Kenneth L. and Eleanor Ruth Daniels Douglass. Bill graduated from Vestal High School and studied at Hastings Boys’ High School in New Zealand in a student exchange program. In 1971, he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in geology.

Bill began his career working in Honesdale with Mark Zimmer Sr. as a surveyor. He later became the executive director for the Wayne County Planning Commission. In 2011, he retired from the Upper Delaware Council as the executive director, where he was involved in the initiation and development of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

An active member of the community, Bill formerly served on the board at Wayne Memorial Hospital, the Wayne County Community Foundation and the Economic Developmental Council of NEPA. He was a member of the Oregon Twp. Planning Commission and coached in the Honesdale Soccer Club. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale.

An athletic person who loved the outdoors, Bill enjoyed golfing, skiing and fishing at Elk Lake.

Also surviving are his children, Ian Douglass and wife, Fawn Dalton of Atlanta, Ga.; Molly Douglass of Providence, R.I.; and Zane Douglass and wife, Kristie Douglass of Atlanta; grandchildren, Liam and Lyla Douglass. He is also survived by his aunt, Nina Martin of Bethany; a cousin, Brenda Zeglen and husband, Barry, and their daughter, Natalie, all of Honesdale; Barbara Wilcox and husband, Gerry of Vestal, N.Y.; and Bonnie Moyer and husband, Robert of Apalachin, N.Y.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Feb. 16, at St. Mary Magdalen Church, Honesdale, at 10 a.m. Friends may visit Monday, 3 to 7 p.m., at the Hessling Funeral Home Inc., 428 Main St., Honesdale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ARC Dyberry Day Camp, P.O Box 1121, Honesdale, PA; or the Wayne County Community Foundation for Michael J. Bryant Memorial Fund, 214 Ninth St., Honesdale, PA.