It is a blessing for me to be able to come to work knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of RP Home residents,” wrote William J. “Bill” Weir, RP Home chief financial officer, in 2011. “I cannot think of any better calling where the paths of ministry and business intersect.…In addition to the honor of caring for people in their declining days, there is also satisfaction when we see a resident discharged home following their recovery from a fall, a stroke, or a surgical experience. My prayer each morning as I enter the building is, ‘O God, pour out your provision and protection for the work of the RP Home today.’”

Bill Weir conscientiously performed his duties for 38 years, first as assistant administrator, then nursing home administrator, and finally as chief financial officer. His job descriptions, however, didn’t limit the scope of his service. Whatever need he saw, he met, touching the lives of countless residents, their families, employees, and people in the community. He sought to lead through humility and integrity and by example, working as part of a team.

After Bill retired last September, over 150 RP Home employees, board members, business associates, family, and friends gathered in Wexford, Pa., on Oct. 7 to recognize his dedicated and faithful service. The event, sponsored by the RP Woman’s Association (RPWA) Board, included dinner, music by harpist Samara Egan, and remarks by family members and people who worked closely with Bill.

A highlight of the evening was a performance by Bill and Rose Weir’s daughters, Jennifer George and Natalie Faris, who sang “I Know of a Man”—a parody they wrote of “There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly.” They began,

I know of a man who worked at the Home, Thirty-eight years since he was hired. Perhaps he’ll retire.

Their children held up the letters S-E-R-V-A-N-T while Jennifer and Natalie shared childhood memories of their father:

• Searching the RP Home dumpsters for residents’ lost dentures

• jumping out of bed and running across Burgess Street in the night to meet Emergency vehicles

• providing Rides for residents to church picnics, funerals, and other events

• Volunteering as night watchman, snow shoveler, and other roles not in his job description

• reciting the month and year of myriad RP Home-related events due to his uncanny Associations

• working many late Nights

• picking up Trash along Perrysville Avenue to keep the neighborhood clean.

Other speakers also attested to Bill’s godly character and invaluable service.

Faith Martin, the former RP Home executive director and a board member when Bill was hired in 1978, worked over 30 years with him. She said, “Bill came to the RP Home as a young man on the brink of a career in hospital administration. Rev. Mel Martin [RP Home administrator] had suggested his name to the board but felt there was little hope of his coming. What young man would consider casting his lot with the humble RP Home? We were so glad he proved us wrong and accepted the position. The circumstances of the RP Home were dire then.”

The Life Safety Code division of the Pennsylvania Department of Health had inspected the old buildings and declared them unsafe. The RP Home would have to close if the issues weren’t resolved, which would require reconstruction. As a key member of the RP Home’s building committee, Bill worked with an architect and a contractor on the major building project in the early 1980s. He considers the 24-month process the equivalent of a master’s degree!

“During that time, there were long hours, important meetings, and many trips to Harrisburg,” Faith said. “Through it all, Bill was the first at meetings, always prepared and always willing to do the next task that emerged.”

“Bill’s sincerity, integrity, and follow-through impressed our business, government, and church contacts and lent our small organization credibility. His tact and graciousness got us through more than one difficult encounter.”

“We went from being a small home for the aged to a modern nursing and personal care home with double the capacity. Even with all these changes thrust upon us, the RP Home retained its original character—a place where Christ is honored and friendships flourish. Under Bill’s leadership, residents, their families, and employees began to see themselves as The RP Home Family.

“Bill was a servant leader who modeled the RP Home’s mission statement, treating each resident with the same love and affection we would offer our own parents. Even when he had to run down Perrysville Avenue to stop the city bus so he could retrieve one of our confused wanderers, he did it with gentleness and good humor.

“Residents were secure in Bill’s care. One of my husband Fred’s [Dr. Fred Martin’s] patients at the RP Home fell in the middle of the night and needed to go to the emergency room. The nurse notified Bill of the situation. He thought about this frail woman without family and knew how frightened she might be alone in the hospital. He decided to meet her there. First thing the next morning, the emergency room doctor called Fred and said, ‘I think we have a case of nursing home abuse.’ The fact that the administrator had come to the emergency room with a patient had roused the doctor’s suspicion. Fred, without hesitation, assured him that this was Bill’s way, and the matter was dropped.

“While always serious about work, Bill knew how to have fun. He dressed in costume for whatever activity was going on at the RP Home. His overalls made their appearance each year at the RP Home’s Walker Country Fair. He made an impressive Uncle Sam at our Centennial Celebration, helped by the beard he grew for the occasion.”

“As the financial side of the RP Home became more complex, Bill grew with it. He faithfully represented the RP Home in state and local long-term care professional organizations, keeping us up to date on issues. The building program in 2004 added the Upper Rooms, Inc., and Vista apartments. More work, more responsibilities for Bill, but no complaints.”

“Bill was at the heart and soul of the RP Home (founded in 1897) for over one-third of its existence. We’re so thankful he answered the call of the RP Home 38 years ago and provided steady leadership through both good and difficult times.”

Sandra Johns, former RPWA president and a board member when Bill was hired, added, “Bill was devoted to the job, which he felt the Lord led him to do, a job he did with a smile. He comforted distraught families, tenderly directed the confused, chauffeured members of the RP Home family to church or to other events, and labored long hours over reports and audits. He greeted everyone with patience and a smile.”

Marilyn Roll, former RPWA president and current board member, wrote, “In my mind Bill Weir’s outstanding quality is the honor and respect he gives everyone, allowing people to retain their dignity in all situations. Bill treats residents and patients with whom he comes in contact as his own grandparents. He treated employees as his own siblings, desiring the best for them, even picking them up or taking them home when public transportation was not running. Bill’s ability to quickly access any information needed at a board meeting was unequaled.”

Fred C. Miller, Managing Director of Shorebridge Wealth Management, worked with Bill in a consulting/professional relationship. He said, “In all the time I’ve known Bill, he’s always been very respectful of me and whoever I brought to the office. Usually, when the topic is investments and economics, people have to stifle yawns, but I don’t remember Bill yawning or acting disinterested even once. On a number of occasions, we would have reason to walk through the building, and I don’t remember him ever passing anybody without stopping and speaking with them, and, if appropriate, introducing me. It didn’t matter whether it was a new resident, an old resident, a manager, or a cook. It was obvious from Bill’s interactions what a respected and respectful person he is. I see in Bill a good man of God, compassionate and faithful to those that the RP Home serves.”

Alvin W. Allison, Jr., president and CEO of Baptist Homes Society, worked with Bill at the Faith-Based Network. Bill was part of the organization since its inception in the late 1990s. “Bill’s dedication and attention to detail at the FBN was legendary. He served as the recording secretary for the FBN meetings, and the minutes and notes he prepared were always very detailed and accurately captured the issues, discussions, decisions, and outcomes of each meeting.

“Bill also served as the unofficial historian of the FBN. No matter what question was raised about any prior actions or activities at any time in FBN’s history, Bill always knew the answer. He typically could inform the group not only what was decided and implemented, but the time frame in which it was accomplished (not only the year, but often down to the month and sometimes the specific date), as well as who had been present when the decision was finalized.

“Most importantly, Bill’s personal faith and his commitment to faithfully serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were evident in both his personal and professional demeanor. He always conducted himself as a perfect gentleman in every situation. Finally, above all and through all, Bill’s dedication and commitment to faithfully serving the FBN, the RP Home, and the residents who were entrusted to his care and service, were consistently affirmed by Bill’s attitude, speech, and actions.”

In retirement, Bill volunteers at the RP Home, assisting with transportation to medical appointments, visiting RP Home residents in the hospital, serving as the point person for the RP Theological Seminary visitation practicum in conjunction with Professor Barry York, entering government-required data, consulting with the board’s Long Range Planning Committee, stuffing envelopes, shoveling snow, and picking up trash on Perrysville Avenue.

The job of chief financial officer is now in the capable hands of Lorrie Meneely, another dedicated and faithful leader.

Karen Olson is an RP Woman’s Association Board Member and a member of the Seattle, Wash., RPC.