William James Howard

William James "Will" Howard, of Easton, MD, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, September 13th. A true renaissance man, Will lived life to the fullest. Born June 7, 1947 in Easton, MD, son of the late Charles and Cecile Howard. His brother Charles Patrick Howard the 2nd predeceased him. Will graduated from Country School, Saints Peter & Paul High School, and University of Maryland, College Park. While attending university Will worked part time as a reporter for the Associated Press. In 1969 he was the only journalist covering the occupation of the Skinner Building by Students for a Democratic Society; the story was covered worldwide. After college he worked as a film photographer for WBAL-TV, police reporter, and columnist for the Baltimore News American. He was honored to be a guest narrator for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on 2 occasions. In the 1980’s and ‘90’s, Will opened The Chambers, Barrister's Retreat, Cecile’s, and Legal Spirits restaurants in Easton. He operated family-owned Chesapeake Bowling Lanes, now operated by his son James Howard in its 67th year. Will started Visitors TV Network, one of the largest hotel video networks of its time. Will, Mayor Murphy, and other partners have been credited with saving Easton’s historic Avalon theater by purchasing the building in 1986. Will hosted and produced 40 video programs for Avalon Foundation's MCTV – they can still be viewed online at ThatManAboutTown.com. Will was elected Judge of Talbot County Orphans' Court in 2010 serving for 10 years. He was a founding director of CASA of Talbot County and the Talbot Paramedic Foundation; president of Talbot Hospice; chairman of Mid-Atlantic Maritime Festival, Easton Air Shows, George Murphy Community Pool, Talbot Heart Association, Talbot County Cancer Society; President's Circle Waterfowl Festival, Co-founder of Operation Christmas Spirit, Maryland's Most Beautiful Person Talbot County 1995, Business Man of the Year 1995. He was on the board of directors for Comtex News Network, Hadron, Talbot Humane, Habitat for Humanity, Talbot Historical Society, and Chase Bank. Will was the recipient of 8 commendations from 6 Maryland Governors. He was nominated for a Pulitzer in 1997 for a seven-part Star Democrat series about inadequate housing in Talbot County. He loved to pilot his Cessna "Blue Bird" and hot air balloon "Discovery." In 1976 he married the love of his life, Dorothy Wright of Denton MD. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, daughters Healy Ikonomou, Katherine Howard, Tracy Howard, son James Howard and his grandchildren Stella & Loukas Ikonomou. In lieu of flowers please donate any memorial contributions to the Talbot Paramedic Foundation. www.talbotparamedic.org A visitation will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newnam Funeral Home in Easton, MD on September 23rd, 2025 from 4 PM to 6 PM.

William James Howard

June 7, 1947 - September 13, 2025