Reverend William Ambrose Markley, 93 years of age, passed away at the Lorien Assisted Living Facility in Taneytown, Maryland, on Monday, August 19, 2024.

Born on March 30, 1932, he was the son of a “circuit riding” Lutheran minister,  the late Raymond, and Mary Markley.  Reverend Markley was preceded in death by two siblings, brother Dr. Raymond Markley, and a sister, MaryJane Davis. Reverend Markley was a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Gettysburg College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in the Classics, and a Divinity and Masters degree from Gettysburg Theological Seminary. He was ordained by the Maryland Synod and called to Lutheran parishes in Bachmans Valley, Union Bridge, Keysville, and Rocky Ridge. Reverend Markley decided to change his ministry in 1977 and trained in hospital chaplaincy at the Sibley Memorial Hospital, where he became enlightened to the Methodist ministries. He responded to the need in the United Methodist Church where he served as the pastor in southern Maryland and in Delaware at churches in West Harrington, East New Market, St. Georges, Zion, and Rosebank. After more than forty years in the ministry, he retired in 1993 to enjoy traveling, collecting special treasures, and splitting his time between Maryland and Florida. He was an active member of the Masons, the Scottish Rite, the Harrisburg Consistory, 32nd Degree Freemasonry, the Conococheague Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of the Westminster Methodist Church. Rev. William Markley married Shelbia Jean Bixler on August 15, 1961, in Gettysburg, PA. They celebrated fifty-five years of marriage until her passing in 2016. His faith and family were most important to him. We thank God for the love, friendship, and ministry received through Rev. Markley as he now rests in deserving peace. 

Surviving are his daughter, Marlinda Smith and son-in-law, Steven, of Indiana, PA; three grandchildren: William Smith and wife, Bailey of Gambrills, Maryland, Major Michael Smith and wife, Megan of Davenport, Iowa, and Allison Mylott and husband, Ben of Pittsburgh, PA. He has six great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Evangeline, William, and Georgia Smith of Gambrills, Maryland, Adley and Aislynn Smith of Davenport, Iowa and soon-to-be seventh great-grandchild, Harold Mylott of Pittsburgh, PA.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, 254 East Main Street, Westminster. A viewing from 9 a.m. will conclude with a Masonic Service at 10:30 a.m. at the Fletcher Funeral Home. The funeral service will then be held at 11 a.m. followed by his interment at the Keysville Union cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to BridgingLife and mailed to BridgingLife Development Office, 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157or the Lorien Assisted Living Activities Department.

Those who would like to virtually attend please see below: