Born in Williamsport, Bill enjoyed an idyllic childhood with his parents and brother Jim on 200 acres in the mountains of Central Pennsylvania. Immersed in country culture, the family tapped their maple trees to make maple syrup, grew and canned fruits and vegetables, raised goats for milk and bees for honey.  Fun on the farm included ice-skating on their ponds, riding their bobsled, hunting various game, and playing team baseball in the National Little League stadium.

Bill's education began in a one room school house for grades one through six.   He and his brother walked to school 2 miles each way through sixth grade but they rode a bus into the city to attend high school. Bill graduated from Williamsport H.S. in 1953 and later received a B. S. degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in North Chili, New York.

To earn money for college, Bill and Jim hitchhiked across the country to work running heavy equipment building Route 1 in Brookings, Oregon.  This experience lead to Bill's career as an operating engineer for over 25 years.

Bill inherited the Boatman gene of love for speed and anything having wheels. His interest in classic cars and his talent as an excellent mechanic, led him to finding and restoring many vehicles.  When he retired, he started a business (Gator Classics in Oakland, FL) for buying and selling those cars.

As a teenager, Bill developed a passion for motorcycles.  Through the years he owned many different models but later evolved into a Harley Davidson enthusiast. Bill and Jim attended many Harley rallies throughout the United States and Canada.
When Jim retired, he and Bill worked on making a dream come true – riding their Harleys across America.  Both in their early 70s, they rode over 10,000 miles to the west coast, and then back through Canada.

Bill's wife, Mary Jane, was even more passionate about riding motorcycles. She was always ready to hop on a bike with Bill at any invitation!  While Bill rode Mary Jane on motorcycles, Mary Jane steered Bill to Christ.

Bill embraced Christianity and consequently became a serious student and vociferous Bible reader.  He also became a dedicated donor to the church and many other good causes.

Bill is survived by his son William Boatman and daughter in law, Sonya in Rochester, New York; his daughter, Kim Fair in Manchester, Missouri; his brother, James Boatman and sister-in-law, Bonnie,Indiana, Pennsylvania; 5 Grand children; three great grandchildren; nieces, and a nephew.

Mary Jane left this world in 2017 and Bill has wanted nothing more than to be with her again.  We know that Bill is with her in heaven and that he is happy.