March 1, 1958 ~ July 20, 2022 (age 64)
William (Bill) Chockla, born March 1, 1958 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Julia Chockla, died on May 28th 2022. He is predeceased by his father, Thomas, and his brother, Tom.
Bill grew up in Derry, PA and graduated from Derry Area High School in 1976. He played football for Derry and was one of the first members of the men’s varsity volleyball team. Volleyball became a passion of Bill’s for many years of playing and coaching.
Bill attended the Electronics Institutes in Pittsburgh and graduated with an Associates degree in Electronic and Computer Technology in 1978. He had a 30-year career with IBM, primarily as a software engineer. During his career with IBM he lived in Poughkeepsie and Endicott, NY and Cary, NC.
After retiring from IBM in 2009, Bill moved to Estes Park, CO and pursued his passion for hiking and climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park, where he also volunteered with the Trail Maintenance shop, logging nearly 2,000 volunteer hours to cut and clear over 2,400 downed trees blocking hiking trails in the park over an 8-year span.
Bill enjoyed traveling, including some wonderful treks with Sandy to the Mount Everest Base Camp and Phoksundo National Park in Nepal as well treks and climbs in Switzerland, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.
Bill leaves behind his children, Andrew, Janelle, and Aaron, and six grandchildren, Natalie, Emily, Emmett, Jasper, Kennedy, and Olivia. He is also survived by his mother, Julia, his two sisters, Jan and Lori, and his brother Mike, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who loved him and will miss him greatly.
The family is holding small, private gatherings. To honor his memory, please consider donating to his favorite charity,
The American Himalayan Foundation:
