William J. Eckhard

William "Bill" J. Eckhard, 65, a 10 year resident of Dundalk, MD, died on October 30, 2021 at the Adventist Health and Rehab Center in Takoma Park.

Mr. Eckhard was born on November 30, 1955 in Fort Meade, MD to the late Richard and Orpha Eckhard. Bill was the oldest of 4 children: the late Rock Allen Eckhard, survived by Fern Eckhard Kreis of Ellicott City, MD and Richard Arthur Eckhard of Ocean City, MD.  At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Army and served honorably from 1972 to 1984. During this time, Bill began driving tractor trailers for a living and continued doing so until August of 2001 when he joined the Maryland Army National Guard. He retired from there November 2015 and returned to the trucking business as an owner-operator leased to Sky Harbour Trucking Company where he worked until September 17, 2021.

Outside of work, Bill was a valued and longtime member of Antioch Apostolic Church in Arnold, MD where he was active in the Anchor Ministries and supported youth, Sunday school and media departments. He enjoyed golfing, playing paintball, hunting and fishing with his friends and family. He also loved animals, mentoring young people, and playing practical jokes at family gatherings. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Elizabeth "Liz" Eckhard; brother in-laws Tony, Charles, Joe Geppi, Joe Demers, Michael Upton and Jeff Wertz; sisters-in-laws Rosemary Wertz, Lisa Upton, Natalie Demers, Rochelle Geppi, and Lynn Case; nephews, Bobby Kreis, [Michael Bermudez] and Adam Kreis, Jeffrey Wertz, Andrew and Zachary Demers, and Christopher and Brandon Upton; and nieces Christine Wertz and Tiffany, Jenna, Erin Breig; Aunt Barb and many cousins and friends. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 8 at 11am at Antioch Apostolic Church, 1535 Ritchie Highway, Arnold, MD 21012. Interment will follow at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Antioch Apostolic Church Anchor or Youth Ministries , Tunnel to Towers Foundation or any animal rescue organization of your choice.