First Sergeant(Ret)William J. Coder, US Army, age 75, of Carlisle, died Monday, March 15, 2010, in Carlisle Regional Medical Center. He was born on Saturday, June 30, 1934, in Madera, a son of the late James and Bessie (Oaks) Coder.

Bill graduated from Shippensburg High School and later on earned a Liberal Arts degree from Harrisburg Area Community College. He retired from the U. S. Army as First Sergeantafter 24 years of service. A veteran of theKorean and Vietnam Wars, Bill earned many honors and medals for his service, including; the Good Conduct Medal (8 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal w/1BSS, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Army Commendation Ribbon (4 awards). Bill also retired from the US Post Office in York after 15 years of service. He was a Mason since 1963 and was currently a member of St. John's F&AM Lodge #260, the Scottish Rite-32nd degree and the Zembo Shrine and their Motorcycle Touring Unit. He was a member of Dillsburg American Legion, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 509 and a life member of Dillsburg VFW Post 6771. Bill enjoyed motorcycles, especially his Honda "Trike". He also enjoyed camping and golfing.

He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 18 years, Linda L. (Worden) (Wood) Coder, four sons; James (and his wife, Vickie) Coder of Cadiz KY, William (and his wife, Millie) Coder and Donald (and his wife, Lisa) Coder both of Louisville, KY and Geoffrey (and his wife, Donna) Coder of Lewisberry, a daughter, Diana (and her husband, Daniel) Miller of Marietta, GA, his stepchildren, Jon (and his wife, Tracy) Dario of Warren, NJ and Kristina (and her husband, Paul) Conner of Bear, DE, 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by two sisters; Rella Patterson and Millicent Dockey and one brother, Jack Coder.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010, in the Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, 630 S. Hanover St., Carlisle, with Rev. Walt Frankenberry, officiating. Burial with military honors will be held in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville at a later date. Viewing will be held from 6 -8:00 p.m.on Fridayat the funeral home where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Memorialsmay be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140-4131.