William "Bill" Tasker

William “Bill” Tasker, 91, passed peacefully on Saturday, June 14, 2025. He laid down for an afternoon nap and quietly slipped away; a fitting end for a man of steady grace and calm resolve. He died of natural causes, without struggle, and at home with the Lord.

Born on February 26, 1934, in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, to Austin Cecil “AC” Tasker and Edith Tasker. Bill was the third of four children, preceded by his brother, James “Jim” Tasker (wife Blanche), and sister, Mildred (husband Robert) Trent, and followed by his younger sister, Betty Jane (husband John) James. Growing up in Somerset, Pennsylvania, Bill was shaped by the hard lessons of the 1930s: work ethic, the art of making do, ingenuity, and a resilient Appalachian grit. Bill outlived all his siblings, carrying forward their shared family history through his memories and stories.

In 1956, Bill completed U.S. Army basic training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, before being assigned to the 87th Ordnance Battalion near Stuttgart, Germany. His service overseas broadened his perspective and deepened his appreciation for home.

Bill started his professional career in retail operations management with J.J. Newberry Company, which was later acquired by McCrory Stores. He spent over 40 years rising from store management to opening new stores to corporate roles. Bill was eventually promoted to a position where he earned a reputation for turning around underperforming stores, an achievement fueled by his ability to develop and mentor people.

It was at J.J. Newberry that Bill met the love of his life, Cora Mae, while they were both working there. They married on June 12, 1960, in Burbank, Ohio, and for the next 65 years never spent more than 24 hours apart. Their marriage was a living example of devotion, two lives so intertwined they were rarely thought of separately. Together, they built a life of shared joys and steadfast love.

Bill’s talent for turning challenges into successes earned him recognition as a top performer. In an era when companies rewarded achievement by sending employees and their spouses on company trips, Bill and Cora traveled to places they had only seen in the movies: Egypt, Israel, Moscow, Las Vegas, Rio de Janeiro, and Roatán, Honduras, making memories that became treasured family stories.

In 1966, Bill and Cora adopted their first child, Michael, and in 1968, they joyfully welcomed their daughter, Cindy, through adoption. In 1970, Bill was transferred to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where they purchased their first house and raised their children, completing the family that would remain at the center of Bill’s world.

Bill was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a lifelong Steelers fan. Each Spring, he would put in a large vegetable garden. He enjoyed coaching youth sports, family camping trips, small game hunting in the Pennsylvania hills, and Bill loved to take road trips across the United States.

For as much as he liked to talk, he led more by action than words: show up early, keep your word, and don’t rat out your friends. He also believed that if a job called for one bag of cement, two would be better.

When Bill and Cora retired, they auctioned off their house in Pennsylvania to build a home in Leesburg, Florida, where they lived for 15 years before moving to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2017.

While Bill and Cora were always active in their church, in retirement, their involvement grew to become a centerpiece in their lives. Together, they helped with the food bank, fundraising, and served as delegates in the Methodist Church. They modeled their faith for their children and grandchildren, showing that service and love for others are not just words to speak, but ways to live.

Bill had a gift for making things better: stores, gardens, sports teams, and the lives of those who needed a quiet presence. He knew the right time to speak and the right time to simply listen.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cora Mae, his children, Michael (wife Suzanne) and Cindy. Grandchildren Rebecca, Sean, and Austin also survive him; bonus grandchildren Adam (wife Kristin), Beccue, Taylor (girlfriend Chelcee), Beccue; bonus great-grandchildren Chase, Makayla, Bella, and Jack. Bill is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews, as well as many extended family members and dear friends who will cherish his memory.

Bill’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched—through his compassion for lifting others, his steady and gentle presence, and the comfort he brought to all who knew him.