Politics & Government

South Whitehall Pays Tribute to William Derricott

South Whitehall dedicates a pavilion in Covered Bridge Park to its longtime Parks & Recreation Director William " Bill" Derricott, who died Jan. 31, 2011.

Friends and family of William "Bill" Derricott gathered Saturday in as South Whitehall dedicated Pavilion No. 2 to its long-time parks and recreation director, who .

Stories flowed easily about Derricott, who was lauded as a community servant with a deep affection for South Whitehall, the and his alma mater, Bloomsburg University.

"I'm glad there's a place that people can come and think about Bill," said Lynda Fedor-Michaels, director of alumni affairs at Bloomsburg University, as she stood in the township's picturesque park, in front of the newly named pavilion. Michaels was among those who spoke at the 20-minute dedication under sunny skies.

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As a former Parkland history teacher and a Marine Corps veteran, Derricott was tough, but fair, the speakers said, and he taught life lessons to his students.

Former student and Parkland High School Transitional Coordinator Eric Roberts said Derricott had told him that service to the community was "the rent you pay for living." Roberts added, "No one paid more rent than Bill." 

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At the ceremony, people gathered around a large rock that now bears a plaque inscribed with Derricott's name and a quote from William Penn. People said the Penn quote fittingly described the way Derricott lived:

"I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

South Whitehall Commissioner Glenn Block, also one of Derricott's former students, drew chuckles as he told about a life lesson learned in his 10th grade class years earlier. He said he had pointed out that Derricott had mistakenly marked an answer as "correct" on a test when Block had really gotten it wrong.

Block said he was dismayed when Derricott then fixed his error, but lowered the grade to B-plus from A- on the test. When Block protested and asked why he was being penalized for his honesty, Derricott replied: people should not be rewarded for their honesty; honesty should be expected from everyone. That lesson, Block says, has stayed with him.

Township officials were happy to learn that Derricott had found out about the planned dedication before he died. His wife, , the township recreation director, said her husband had stumbled upon the plans over the computer, when he looked up board minutes and correspondence. 

Gregg Spence, chairman of the township Parks & Recreation board, led the ceremony. Refreshments followed in the newly dedicated pavilion.


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