William Roger Elias, 81, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023 at York Hospital.

   Born on November 20, 1941 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was the son of William Wagner and Ruth Durland Elias.  William,  Roger  to his family,  is survived by his daughter, Jennifer DeMers and her husband, James, of Dover and Colleen Elias, of Dover, the mother of his children. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sandy (Searfoss) Elias, two  nephews, Ryan Elias (Maureen) and Daryl Elias (Abby), his great nephews, Evan Samuel, Shane Benjamin, Wesley David and another great nephew due May 22, along with other nieces, nephews and cousins.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Jonathan W. Elias and his brother Ronald John Elias.

    After graduating from Tobyhanna Township High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He served from Nov. 1961 to the end of his reserve service in 1967.  He was an Airman First Class and a military patrolman.  He enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in September of 1966 and graduated in December of 1966 as a  member of the 13th class.  He was stationed in Lancaster, Ehprata, West Chester, Milesburg, and York, before his retirement in 1992.

    His hobbies were hunting, fishing, archery, camping, skiing, scrimshaw art and gun collecting. He enjoyed hunting here in PA, but made trips to Colorado, Utah, Maine and Illinois, as well as fishing trips, most recently on the Chesepeake Bay. He also enjoyed spending weekends in Potter County at his friend, Randy's hunting camp and archery bow shoots with his friend, Gary.

    He was a lifetime member of the NRA, Pennsylvania Longbow Association, Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Fraternal Order of Police. 

    Services will be held April 22, 2023,  at 11 AM in the Cocklin Funeral Home, 30 N. Chestnut St. Dillsburg, Pa.  A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM. Burial will be held at the Dillsburg Cemetery-Mountain Road.  A graveside service will also be held for his son, Jonathan, at that time.

    In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Troopers Helping Troopers Foundation, 3625  Vartan Way Harrisburg, Pa 17110 or www.troopershelpingtroopers.org