William L. Defibaugh

William L. Defibaugh (Bill), 91 years of age, left us all to be with the Lord on October 3, 2024.  He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Maurer); they were married for 71 years. He was the loving father of William L. (Bill and Lisa) Defibaugh, II, Barbara L. Loshaw, Nancy J. Pyle and Rebecca R. (James) Hughes. Bill had 12 grandchildren, five great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Bill was preceded in death by his two sisters, Priscilla and Delta. Bill was born in Toledo, Ohio, to William L. And Frances (Smith) Defibaugh on July 27, 1933. In 1951, he began attending Bethesda Bible College, where he met Ruth Maurer, and on March 14, 1953, they were married in Detroit, Michigan. At the time of their marriage, many said that they were too young to get married, and that the marriage would never last!  Bill and Ruth were very active in their church in Detroit, and attended Bethesda Missionary Temple (now, Bethesda Christian Church) while they raised their children.

Bill became a registered professional engineer while in Detroit, and opened his own firm in 1967 (Systems Engineering). Bill practiced in Michigan, Ohio and eventually in Pennsylvania. Many of the structures in Bedford County, and it surroundings, were designed by Bill while practicing in Pennsylvania.

Bill’s love for genealogy and Bedford County history brought him and his family to Bedford on August 16, 1979. Bill was instrumental in the development of the Bedford Historic District and in placing the Bedford Springs Hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. His zeal for the history of the Bedford Springs Hotel led him to collect innumerable artifacts and photos from the early days of the hotel. All are on display at the Bedford Springs Hotel today. He was the historian for the Bedford Springs Hotel, and gave many historic tours and lectures. In Bill’s honor, a special dining room at Bedford Springs Hotel was named after him and is called “The Defibaugh Table.”

Shortly after moving to Bedford, Bill and his wife, Ruth, began a small Bible study in their home, which grew into Bedford County Christian Church – now, One Community Christian Church. Bill had a vision for the salvation of “Bedford County folk” and loved them all dearly. Bill and Ruth pastored the church until 2008.

Bill spent his final years as a resident of Homewood at Martinsburg, where his wife, Ruth, lives today. The staff at Homewood has been marvelous, and we, his family, are forever grateful! His favorite statement was, “Better days are comin’ down the road!” Well, dad, your “better day” has arrived. We miss you and thank you, Dad, for a great life.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at the One Community Christian Church, 10229 Lincoln Highway, Everett, PA 15537 with his son Pastor William Defibaugh officiating. Burial will be private.  Friends and family will be received on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 10 - 12 at the church.  Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the William and Ruth Defibaugh Bible School Scholarship Foundation.  Checks can be made out to One Community Christian Church, PO Box 27, Everett, PA 15537 (please note Scholarship Foundation on check).  Online donations: OneCommunitycc.org , scroll down to donate, select scholarship fund.

One Community Christian Church
PO Box 27, Everett PA 15537
Web: http://OneCommunitycc.org