In Memorium: Paul Wertman (1934-2025)
Paul Wertman, a 63-year member of the Lycoming Law Association, died July 23, 2025.
Obituary:
Paul “Will” Wertman, 90, of Troy, PA was welcomed into his heavenly home with Jesus on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, while surrounded by family.
Born September 18, 1934 in Muncy, PA, he was the son of William Clayton and Charlotte Emma “Lottie” (Forster) Wertman. He was predeceased by his wife, Lois Anne (Winder) Wertman, who he married on November 17, 1962. Together they celebrated over 57 years of marriage.
Will graduated from Muncy High School in 1952, from Penn State University in 1956, and from Dickinson School of Law in 1959. He served his country in the Army National Guard from 1959-1962.
Will worked as an attorney in Muncy for forty years, specializing in wills and estate law. He was particularly proud of his work helping seniors through the loss of a spouse and the legal challenges they experienced.
He was a member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Muncy. The last five years he attended Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church, East Smithfield, PA. At both, he especially enjoyed singing old hymns and the friendship of fellow believers.
Will was community-minded, volunteering for many organizations over the years. He was a long-time member of the Montgomery Lions Club. He was in charge of their annual Easter Egg Hunt for many years, sold many gallons of sauerkraut, and earned the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition from Lions Clubs International. He was a member of the West Branch Sports Hall of Fame Committee and was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award in 2014. In addition, he served on the boards of the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement East, the Muncy High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee, the Montgomery School Board and various church councils. He was also a member of the Williamsport Scottish Rite.
Sports were a huge part of Will’s life. He had a competitive spirit, which was reflected in the way he competed, coached, and cheered on his favorite teams. Baseball was his first love, whether he was watching the Yankees with his dad, coaching Little League and men’s softball or supporting the Crosscutters. You would frequently spot him on the sidelines or in the bleachers of local sporting events. He was particularly passionate about his beloved Nittany Lions, especially the wrestling program. He was a dedicated Penn State wrestling fan for over 70 years, following the team all over the country to matches and tournaments.
Will cherished quality time with family and friends. He took the time to foster relationships which allowed him to make new friends throughout his whole life, as well as enjoying life-long friendships. Some of his most cherished moments were daily coffee at the news stand, monthly luncheons with his friends from the Class of ’52, reuniting with friends each year at Tuscarora, and sporting trips with his buddies.
His greatest joys were moments with his family, especially his grandchildren. Whether it be on a trip, on the sidelines, in the audience, or talking one-on-one, Grandpa and Grandma were always there to love and support their grandkids.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he was predeceased by his brother Max in infancy and his cousins Marlin and VanDorn Wertman Jr., who were like brothers to him.
Surviving are two sons, Bill Wertman, of Baltimore, MD and Thomas Wertman, of Muncy; two daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie and Fred Simpson and Vickie and Gary Ward, all of Troy; and eight grandchildren, Leah Ward, Emma Simpson, Trevor Ward, Connor Simpson, Braden Ward, Lou Wertman, Jackson Simpson and Lydia Ward.
Friends will be received from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 2nd at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 201 S. Main St. Muncy. Burial will follow in the Muncy Cemetery, with a graveside service officiated by the Rev. Brent Book.
There will also be a memorial service officiated by the Rev. Jeff Falke on September 20th at 11am at Mt. Pisgah Wesleyan Church, East Smithfield, PA with a luncheon to follow.
The family will provide the flowers and suggest contributions in Will’s memory be made to the Montgomery Lions Club, 63 South Main St, Montgomery, PA, 17752.
Resolutions:
IN RE: RESOLUTIONS IN MEMORY OF : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
PAUL "WILL" WERTMAN, ESQUIRE : OF LYCOMING COUNTY, PA
:NO. 25-00003
REPORT AND RESOLUTIONS OF COMMITTEE
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGES OF THE ABOVE-NAMED COURT:
By Order of August 1, 2025, the Honorable Nancy L. Butts, President Judge of the 29th Judicial District of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, appointed the undersigned committee to prepare a Report and Resolutions memorializing the life of Paul "Will" Wertman, Esquire, for submission to the Court at a public ceremony to be held October 23, 2025. Accordingly, your committee submits the following Report and Resolutions:
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Paul "Will" Wertman, a proud lifelong resident of eastern Lycoming County in Montgomery and Muncy, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
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Will was born on September 18, 1934, in Muncy, Pennsylvania, the son of the late William Clayton and Charlotte Emma "Lottie"(Forster) Wertman.
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Will graduated from Muncy High School in 1952, from Penn State University in 1956 and from Dickinson School of Law in 1959.
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Will served in the Army National Guard from 1959 to and including 1962.
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Will married Lois Anne (Winder) Wertman on November 17, 1962 and they shared 57 years of marriage before her passing in 2019.
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Will practiced law as a solo practitioner in Muncy for over 40 years, specializing in wills, estate law and real estate.
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Will was particularly proud of his work helping seniors through the loss of a spouse and the legal challenges they experienced.
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Will was an active member of the St. Andrew's Lutheran Church of Muncy and for the last five years attended Mt. Pisgah Wesley Church in East Smithfield, PA, where he especially enjoyed singing old hymns and the fellowship of fellow believers.
-
Will was community-minded, volunteering for many organizations over the years, including his lifelong membership in the Montgomery Lions Club.
-
Will was in charge of the Montgomery Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt for many years, sold gallons of sauerkraut and earned the high rank of the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, which is the highest form of recognition for Lions Club International.
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He was a member of the West Branch Sports Hall of Fame Committee and was honored with the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2014.
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Will served on the boards of the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement East, the Muncy High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee, the Montgomery School Board and various church councils.
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Will was also a member of the Williamsport Scottish Rite.
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Sports was a huge part of Will's life. His competitive spirit was reflected when he competed, coached and cheered his favorite teams. Baseball was his first love, whether he was watching the Yankees with his father, coaching Little League and men's softball or supporting the Crosscutters. He could be frequently seen on the sidelines or in the bleachers of local sporting events.
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Will was a long time season ticket holder for the Penn State wrestling team and was a dedicated Penn State wrestling fan for over 70 years, having followed that team all over the country to matches and tournaments.
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Will was a winsome and friendly person, and had quality friendship and love for his family and friends.
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Will took time to foster relationships, which allowed him to make new friends throughout life as well as enjoying lifelong friendships.
- Will cherished his moments with daily coffee at the news stand, monthly luncheons with his friends from the Class of '52, as well as with his lawyer friends and other friends.
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His greatest joys were moments with his family, especially his grandchildren.
-
He took time to have one-on-one relationships as Grandpa and with Lois as Grandma, both of whom were there to show love and support to their grandchildren.
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In addition to his parents and wife, Will was predeceased by his brother Max in infancy and his cousins Marlin and VanDorn Wertman Jr., who were like brothers to him.
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Will was survived by two sons, William Wertman of Baltimore, Maryland, and Thomas Wertman, of Muncy, Pennsylvania; two daughters and sons-in-law, Valerie and Fred Simpson and Vickie and Gary Ward, all of Troy, Pennsylvania; and eight grandchildren, Leah Ward, Emma Simpson, Trevor Ward, Connor Simpson, Braden Ward, Lou Wertman, Jackson Simpson and Lydia Ward.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that we, the undersigned ,joined by the Bench and Bar of Lycoming County, do recognize and mourn the passing of Paul "Will" Wertman and submit the following resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED, that as a result of the passing of Paul "Will" Wertman, the Bar of Lycoming County has lost a respected, conscientious, honest, energetic and valued participant, and his family has lost a devoted, kind and loving father and grandfather; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Court and this Bar do hereby extend to Will's children and grandchildren our deep and heartfelt sympathy and concern; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these Resolutions be spread at length upon the minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of Lycoming County and that copies be provided to the family of Paul "Will" Wertman.
Respectfully Submitted,
Scott A. Williams, Chairman
The Honorable William S. Kieser (Ret)
J. Howard Langdon, Esquire
C. Edward S. Mitchell, Esquire
