William R. Irish

William R. Irish passed away on March 30, 2026, in York, PA, where he had been hospitalized for several weeks. He was 92 years old.

A retired veteran who spent more than two decades in the U.S. Air Force, William, or Bill to all who knew and loved him, fought in two wars in Korea and Vietnam and saw his share of battles, including his final battle, which, though he ultimately lost, he fought hard with grace, determination, and bravery.

Bill Irish was born July 10, 1933, in Hamlin, PA, to Robert and Ruth (Riddall) Irish. At 19, he joined the Air Force and saw much of the world during his twenty-two years of service to his country. He saw the brutality of war and the beauty of foreign lands, and all one had to do was ask, and he would regale them with both. Though he held a variety of jobs after the Air Force, including air traffic controller and Director of The Red Cross in Berks County, PA, it was his decorated service in the Air Force that made him most proud, as evident at his granddaughter's recent wedding where he wore his dress blue uniform and accepted many thanks for his service...and danced like a man so much younger than ninety-two.

A man of simple tastes, Bill knew what he liked and also what he didn't like. He enjoyed Chick-fil-A, tacos, and simple, home-cooked meals equally, but his two favorites were apple pie and strawberry ice cream, preferably together.

He was an excellent bowler, a fierce card player, famous for his silly dad jokes, a lover of sports, old westerns, and Bruce Lee movies, and an observer of his surroundings, often reporting on the movements of the deer herd that were always present at his last address in Phoenix, MD. He will be truly missed.

Bill Irish was predeceased by his siblings: Connie Morcom, Fred Irish, Jack Irish, and Jim Irish.

He is survived by his children: Tami Davies-Coleman (Dennis), Tony Darienzo, and Stephanie Hummel (Walter), eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on May 20, 2026, at 11:30 AM.