Archibald William Wertz III

Archibald William “Archie” Wertz III, of Keymar, MD, passed away at his ‘happy place’ on the Eastern Shore of Virginia on Thursday, October 5, 2023, the day after his 72nd birthday. Born October 4, 1951 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Archibald William Wertz, Jr. and Peggy Ann Williamson Anselmo and the stepson of the late Salvador Francis Anselmo.

Archie worked as an installer for the former C&P Telephone Company and continued with Verizon, where he spent three decades rivaling the youngsters with his pole climbing expertise. As a devout Christian, Archie was passionate in his faith and was an invaluable member of Walkersville United Methodist Church. Over the years he encouraged and inspired countless children to find the Lord through his Wednesday night youth group and Appalachian Service Project mission trips. Archie had a unique way of sharing God’s word and instilling a love for Christ in others, which often started with a joke or a silly game. He was, undoubtedly, the ‘class clown’ and would always turn a quiet room into resounding belly laughs. In retirement, Archie began what he called his “wood ministry,” allowing him to combine two of his loves – cutting wood and doing God’s work. Local farmers would call on Archie to remove fallen trees from their land, and after cutting, he would donate to friends and neighbors in need, only selling what he needed to cover expenses. When Archie’s children were young, they began vacationing on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a tradition he has cherished with his family for decades. Spending time with family was a priority for Archie, especially when it came to his grandchildren, who were his world, and his brothers, with whom he shared a special bond. Though humble, and never one to need credit for his many good deeds, Archie made a significant impact on everyone who knew him. May his legacy of kindness, humor, and love for the Lord continue in the many lives he touched.

He leaves to honor his memory, his wife and best friend, Robin Hirsch; children, Shannon Miller and Jay Lookingbill, Jr. of Rocky  Ridge, MD, Archibald William “Bill” Wertz IV and his wife, Heather Norden, of Greenbelt, MD, Kim Fox of Thurmont, MD, and Brad Hirsch and his wife, Teresita, and Todd Hirsch and his wife, Brittany, all of Martinsburg, WV; brothers, Kerry S. Wertz and his wife, Marge, of Ormond Beach, FL and Edward D. Wertz and his wife, Sharon, of Fuquay-Varina, NC; stepbrother, Anthony “Tony” Anselmo and his wife, Eileen, of Urbana, MD; stepsister, Alice Anselmo of Deland, FL; grandchildren, Madison, Austin, and Colt Miller, Daniela Fox, Archibald William “Will” Wertz V, Samantha Lookingbill, and Elli, Alva, and Mateo Hirsch; and several nieces and nephews. Archie also leaves behind his childhood friends of more than 65 years, Pat Furlow and his wife, Helen, and Harry Reed and his wife, Colleen, as well as many other dear friends from the telephone company and church.

A service to celebrate Archie’s life will be held at Walkersville United Methodist Church, 22 Main Street, Walkersville, MD, on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Walkersville UMC, 22 Main Street, Walkersville, MD 21793 or online at www.walkersvilleumc.org/give/.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Archibald William Wertz III, please visit our floral store.