William Messinger

William Messinger, 76, of Myrtle Beach and Costa Rica died after a long illness (lymphoma) on April 22, 2023 at MUSC Health University Hospital in Charleston. He was born on January 14, 1947 in Berwick, Pennsylvania, the son of the late William and Lorraine (Fry) Messinger.

While in high school he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts. Bill graduated from Berwick High School, class of 1964. Following graduation Bill served in the United States Navy from 1965-1969 as a Musician E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class. He attended Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and Navy Music School in Little Creek, Virginia. He participated in the NASA program for Gemini Series Capsule Recoveries and the Apollo 11 Cape Kennedy (07-20-1969). The NASA News Filming was used in the movie “The Right Stuff.”

He performed with the Saigon Station USO on all Vietnam military land bases and aboard the USS Intrepid for the Tonkin Gulf Aircraft Carrier Tour. He was discharged on October 20, 1969.

He traveled the United States and Canada in the rock band “Sunrise” from 1969 to 1975. Bill opened four music stores called The Music Mall in Lowell, Nashua, Manchester, and Worcester.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son William Russell Messinger.

Surviving in addition to his wife the former Marta Campos, whom he married June 15, 2013, his daughter Lisa Seely and her husband Keith of Berwick, Amanda Messinger and companion Chris of Dracut, Massachusetts, granddaughters Olivia, Margaret, Abigail Seely, and Molly and Mallory Messinger, his brother David Messinger and wife Elizabeth of Elizabethtown, nephew David E. Messinger and wife Lori of Apex, North Carolina, and niece Melanie Messinger of Doylestown.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday April 29, 2023 at 11:00 am at Good Shepard Church, 16th and Fowler Ave., Berwick with Pastor Chad Hebrink officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 9:30 am until time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers donations in Bill’s memory may be sent to Lisa Seely, 1200 E. 5th St., Berwick, PA, 18603 c/o William Messinger Scholarship, to be put towards a scholarship for a band student at the Berwick High School.

Family and friends may send online condolences to jameslhinckleyjrfuneralhome.com. The James L. Hinckley Jr. Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., Berwick is handling arrangements. 

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