William Lee Hess

William Lee (Bill) Hess of Warwick, formerly of Dillsburg, Pa., passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. He was 69.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, (which would have been Bill’s 70th birthday) at Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc., 30 N. Chestnut St. in Dillsburg, PA, with visitation immediately preceding the service from 9 to 11 a.m.
Burial will follow the funeral at the Dillsburg Cemetery.
Bill was born in Dillsburg, Pa., on Dec. 15, 1948, to Harry S. and Mary Lou (Busey) Hess.
He graduated from Northern York County High School in 1966 and continued on to receive a bachelor’s degree in horticulture with vocational-technical teaching certification from the Pennsylvania State University in 1970.
Bill taught high school briefly before founding Country Market Landscaping in Mechanicsburg, Pa., which he managed for 20 years. He designed and installed landscaping projects throughout all of south central Pennsylvania.
His knowledge of plant material was unparalleled, and his innovative landscape designs gained him local notoriety.
In recent years he moved to Warwick, where he enjoyed close working relationships with his colleagues at Home Depot and Dunkin' Donuts during his “retirement.”
He enjoyed skiing and being outdoors, but above all else he enjoyed watching and supporting the football program at his beloved alma mater, Penn State. The Nittany Lions seemingly never enjoyed another devoted, lifelong fan such as Bill Hess.
Bill is survived by daughter Jennifer (Ryan Hupp), son Gregory (Michaela), and grandchildren Benjamin and Lillian. He is also survived by his ex-spouse and friend, Lydia Denmark, his brother Robert (Carmy), sister Lou Ann Chwan (Joe), and sister Susan Dove (Charles), and other family and friends.
Bill was known for being kind-hearted and always willing to help others. Living near and spending time with his grandchildren in his “retirement” years was the greatest joy of his life.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Arbor Day Foundation and the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.
"Friends and family attending our dad’s ceremonies on 15 Dec. are encouraged to wear their favorite team’s attire/colors. He loved his Nittany Lions and the spirit of sport, but mostly enjoyed the conversations spawned debating allegiances; therefore, be comfortable and true to your team.
An online guestbook can be signed at www.cocklinfuneralhome.com.