William F. Klein, Sr.

Beloved husband of Mary Helen Webster Klein (nee Elliott); devoted father of William F. Klein, Jr., Bonnie Blottenberger, Christine Dunevant, Victoria Koski, Robin Elliott, Lisa Webster, and Robert L. Webster, Jr.; dear brother of Arminta Klein Bloom, Catherine Patricia Klein Marsiglia, Charles Klein, Jr., John Klein, Mark Klein and deceased brother Edward Klein. Loved and often bewildered grandfather of 18 and great-grandfather of 35.

Bill was born and raised in Ellicott City, Maryland. He attended St. Paul's Catholic School and was in the first graduating class of Howard High School in 1953.

Following in his father's footsteps, Bill joined the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department in 1949 as a volunteer.  As the Ellicott City area grew and calls increased, Bill was hired as Howard County’s first full-time career fireman on May 4, 1959. His duties included driving, caring for, and maintaining the fire equipment.

He served in the Maryland National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in 1958, while also working in the Klein family business of West End Service in Ellicott City. After taking an early disability retirement in 1995, Bill became very active in the American Legion, Post 156, and volunteered many hours with the Howard County Fair Association. Weekends would often find him watching NASCAR racing from his favorite recliner. He also enjoyed woodworking, and could fix almost everything mechanical.

In 1979, Bill met and married the love of his life, Helen, and then took on the enormous and often overwhelming task of loving and guiding his new family, which continued to grow exponentially. After Bill and Helen had both retired, they enjoyed a second home in Ocean City, MD, where they spent many enjoyable hours decorating their new condo, putting puzzles together, and pontooning on Assawoman Bay in OC.

After an accidental fall in his home in Sykesville, Bill was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma where he succumbed to complications of severe brain injuries. He never left the Shock Trauma ICU despite the most excellent care he received from the nurses, doctors and medical personnel. The staff was experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable in treating the patient along with members of his family.

The family wishes to leave the decision of sending flowers or donations up to the individual. Any flowers left by the family at Candle Light after the Memorial Gathering will be fashioned into bouquets to be taken to local nursing homes and hospitals.