Cover photo for Paul F. Derridinger's Obituary
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In Memory Of
Paul F. Derridinger
1937 2023

Paul F. Derridinger

January 12, 1937 — April 4, 2023

Paul F. Derridinger, 86, met Jesus in the early morning hours of April 4, 2023 at the Masonic Homes in Louisville, KY after a seven month battle with cancer. He was born January 12, 1937 in Paradise, PA, the third of five children born to Richard Leo Derridinger and Catherine Anne (Klein) Derridinger.

Paul is survived by his bride of 64 years, Willamae Shields; his son Mark Derridinger (Lisa); his daughter, Cristi Fowle (Bill); five grandchildren, Katie (Caleb), Allison (Peter), Summer, Matthew, Corey Young; two great-grandsons, Henry and Levi; two sisters Cathi Pyatt (Bob) and Michelle McFerren (Gerald) of Chambersburg, PA; and many nieces and nephews.

Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in May 1958, Paul married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Willamae Shields on December 27th of that same year. Paul served in the United States Navy from 1958-1961 as a Disbursing Officer on the USS Radford which was ported in Hawaii before building a successful career and retiring from General Electric after 30 years in 1993. After "retirement" he enjoyed all kinds of business consulting and anything involving finance, usually to help a family member or meet a need of someone he loved.

Paul was a relentlessly hardworking and loving man who treasured his relationships with God, his Bride and his family. A man who loved God and loved to support Father Yves and the congregation at his church in Ft. Pierce, FL. A man who love his bride and always put her first, finding every way he could to meet her needs, make her smile or plan that special romantic dinner for 2. A man who loved to host family dinners and plan family vacations, he was the glue who always kept us together, no matter how crazy life got. A man of many stories and words of wisdom, even though we didn't have the foresight to write it all down. He loved to support his grandkids at every baseball game, dance recital, and cross country race. He never missed a birthday, always called and sent a card (or sometimes a coconut from the tree outside their condo in Florida) if not flying back from Florida just for the occasion. As often as he made dinner reservations for 12 or more to accommodate the whole crew, he made reservations for 3 to accommodate just you, him, and Willamae.

Above all, Paul was a selfless man who lived his life for his family and "always tried to serve and please God in everything [he] did." He was a man who overcame so much and yet lived his life for the betterment of others. He was a man who saw your potential, even when you didn't see it in yourself, and encouraged you to pursue your passions and be the very best you can. His life philosophy was you always need to have someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.

We are so grateful for his presence in our lives and all he taught us and shared with us and we grieve his loss. A celebration of his life will be held 11am Saturday, June 17th at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Ft Pierce, FL. Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Paul to Notre Dame Catholic Church, 217 N US 1, Ft Pierce, FL 34950.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Mass of Celebration

Saturday, June 17, 2023

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

Notre Dame Catholic Church

, FL

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