H. William Donecker, 93, of Ephrata, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2024, at his home.

He was born in Elizabethtown to the late C. Paul and Violet (Garman) Donecker and was the husband of Betty (Shober) Donecker with whom he shared 66 years of marriage.

Bill was a member of St. John's UCC, Denver. He was a 1949 graduate of Ephrata High School. Bill served his country in the US Army during the Korean War.

Alongside his father, C. Paul Donecker, Bill co-founded the C. Paul Donecker Club Plan in 1949. Initially established as a mail-order company specializing in furniture and dry goods, the business swiftly expanded. In 1961, the father/son team started selling women’s clothing out of two apartments on North State Street but quickly opened a store on the corner of Walnut and North State, beginning what came to be known as Doneckers.

Over the next thirty years, Doneckers grew from a single store to a well known destination. With the additions of The Men’s Store at Doneckers in 1978, The Restaurant and Inns at Doneckers in 1984, The Artworks at Doneckers in 1989 and The Fine Furniture Galleries at Doneckers in the early 2000’s, people from around the country sought out Ephrata, Pennsylvania and the Doneckers experience.

The Doneckers Community was served by over 350 employees who brought Bill Donecker’s vision to life day in and day out. Unparalleled service and exceptional quality became synonymous with the unique offerings and stylish selection at Doneckers. Visitors came for the day or the weekend to experience the charm, sophistication and hospitality that Doneckers offered.

Bill was an active and engaged member of the Ephrata community, helping not only to bring nearly 500,000 visitors annually to the town, but also through his involvement in the development of the area and the key relationship between the town and its sister city of Eberbach, Germany.

While Bill was committed to his business, his employees, his customers, and his community, he also found time to enjoy things outside of that. He was an avid tennis player, playing daily after work. He loved to travel, whether it was for business to all the major markets and trade shows, or personally with his family and friends throughout Europe or on ski trips in Vermont.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Melinda, wife of Joe Beatty of Lititz, Beckie, wife of Dave Beazley of Ephrata, Jennifer, wife of Ken Grove of Lititz; two grandsons, Colin, husband of Michele Beatty, Erik, husband of Kristie Beatty; two step-grandsons, Kevin Grove, Todd, husband of Kelsey Grove and two great-grandchildren, Ella and Lucas Beatty.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul G. "Snook" Donecker, a sister, Bette M. Miller and an infant grandson, Mathew Ryan Beatty.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bill's memory may be made to St. John's UCC, 659 S. 4th Street, Denver, PA 17517.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.