William {Bill} Donald Pleasants, Sr.

Mr. William (Bill) Donald Pleasants, Sr., 81 of Frederick, MD died Tuesday, at the Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born in North Carolina, on September 18, 1927, he was the son of the late Arete Nelms and James Marvin Pleasants. Bill was the owner and operator from 1964 to 1980 of Pleasant Excavating Company. Upon his retirement he went back to farming and cattle raising where he was a champion Polled Hereford Cattleman. He was a member of the Baptist faith.

Bill was a hero to each of his family members. His strength and wisdom was treasured by his family. His guidance, integrity, honesty and faith were obvious to all people that knew and loved him. He took pride in being the best he could be in everything he did, setting standards of excellence for himself and his family.

Survivors include his wife, Pat Pleasants, his children; William D. Pleasants, Jr and wife Claudia, Sherry Stiles, Phyllis Jones and husband J.R., and Ragenia Steel and husband Andrew; step children, Gary Umberger and wife Christine, and Todd Umberger and wife Shirley; grandchildren, Donna Harrington and husband Kirk, Dawn Newquist and husband Eric, William D. Pleasant, III and wife Navada, David Pleasants and wife Kristen, Casey Pleasants, Gene Doody and wife Kelly, Ginger Anderson and husband Kevin, Sara Jones, Katelynn Jones, Justin Steel and Trevor Steel and wife Ashby Lee; step grandchildren, Ross Ostander and wife Nichole, Shawn Umberger, Brandi Umberger, Shiloh Umberger, Jeffry Umberger and Justin Umberger; great grandchildren, Cierra Harrington, Faith Harrington, Zachary Newquist, Luke Newquist, Summer Newquist, Jake Newquist, William D. Pleasants, IV, Ava Brooke Pleasants, Haley Mae Pleasants, Nan Doody, Georgia Doody, Kolton Anderson, Kooper Anderson and Khloe Anderson; his brother, Edwin N. Pleasants and wife Olga; sister-in-laws, Mildred Weaver and Helen Frazier.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, John, Roy Alton, Willard, Dr. Marvin, Louis, and W.C. Pleasants; and his sister, Eleanor Peace Pleasants.

Visitation: The family will receive friends on Saturday from 3 to 5 and 7 t 9 PM at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD.

Services: Services will be held at the funeral home on Sunday, January 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Carson Fender officiating. Entombment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Frederick.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Frederick Memorial Hospital, 400 West Seventh Street, Frederick, MD 21702