George William "Bill" Schriefer, Jr.
DOD: August 28, 2013

The Arnold Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. wishes to submit the name of William "Bill" Schriefer for consideration of the Hall of Fame Award. Bill became a member of the Arnold VFD in 1959 and is currently serving his 51st year as an Active Member of our organization. Bill has been a Life Member for many years. During the five decades with Arnold he has served several times as President and Vice President of the department. Bill has served on the Board of Directors in various offices for over 40 years. He currently is Chairman of the Nominations and Budget and Finance committees.

Bill was an active firefighter for over 30 years before finally retiring the gear around 1989. He still serves on the Ways and Means committee and previously chaired the Building and Grounds committee. In addition, he has served on a variety of other committees including the department's Annual Awards committee, he has helped to organize countless events including Oyster Roasts and Saturday Night parties at the firehouse.

Bill has represented Arnold at 41 consecutive conventions of the Maryland State Firemen's Association as a Delegate. In addition, he has represented Arnold over the years at many events and meetings of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association.

Bill Schriefer is a highly respected member of our department and acts as our unofficial Chaplain. He leads the Broadneck Elks and is active in his church.

Please consider William "Bill" Schriefer for recognition in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame.

Thank you
H. Kevin Knussman
President

George William Schriefer Jr., 89. died at his home August 29 due to lung cancer. He was known as George by the Navy, Bill by friends and BigPop by the family. He was born March 8, 1924 to the late George W. Schriefer Sr. and wife Dorothea Ditzel and was the oldest of four children. He was in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 and served on the USS Shenandoah and USS Portsmouth, then was a member of the Navy reserves from 1950-1951. He was a machinist at Kennecott Copper Refinery for 26 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of the St. Margaret's Episcopal Church and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and a past Exalted Ruler of the local Elks Lodge. He was a volunteer firefighter for 53 years, still serving on the board of the Arnold VFD at the time of his death. He enjoyed participating in his former Navy ships' reunions, gardening, fishing and boating. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Laura Elizabeth Grimes, who died March 22, 2013; his four siblings, Florence Cherry, Pauline Haas, and Vernon Schriefer; and son-in-law, R. David Fordham, Esq. He is survived by three children, Doris S. Fordham of Arnold, Barbara L. Schriefer of Alexandria, VA and Harry Schriefer and his wife Karen of Stevensville; four grandchildren, Robert Benjamin Fordham of Los Angeles, CA, Margaret Anne Fordam of Arnold, Bradley Scott Schriefer and his wife Nikki of Preston, and Christopher RossSchriefer of Stevensville; two great-grandchildren, Lila Morgan Schriefer and Juliette Elizabeth Schriefer, both of Preston; and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.