Mr. William Edgar Barnes

William “Bill” Edgar Barnes passed away at his home on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at the Woodbine farm where he spent his entire life. Bill was born on January 12, 1944, the son of the late Edgar J and Dorothy Hopkins Barnes. Bill was graduated from Glenelg High School in 1962, after which he spent 6 years serving in the Maryland Army National Guard. Bill first worked for his father’s excavation business before going into business for himself. He artfully created many ponds for area farmers, and skillfully graded around people’s homes. Farming, however, was a big source of pride and joy for him. Anyone who has driven past his fields or been a guest on his farm has admired the beauty created by his meticulous planning and his hard-working ethic. Bill was active with the Howard County Soil Conservation District for over 20 years and was serving as the Chairman of their Board of Supervisors at the time of his death. He was a recipient of the Maryland Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year Award and represented the state at the National Convention in Arizona. This past August, Bill was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts. Bill was also very active with the Howard County Farm Bureau and had served as a Director of their Board. Additionally, Bill was a member of the Glenwood Lions Club and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 1996. He spent many hot, sweaty days making sandwiches with other Lions Club members at the Howard County Fair. For 6 years, Bill also served as a Director of the Howard County Fair Association. One of Bill’s favorite activities was participating in Tractor Pulls with the Central Maryland Antique Tractor Club. He received the Best Pulling Record for numerous years, and a very large variety of other trophies and awards. Bill was a member of the Poplar Springs United Methodist Church and served as one of their Trustees. Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Merhlyn Pickett Barnes. He is also survived by his four daughters, Melanie Barnes Merkle and husband Bob of Lynchburg, VA; Sharon Barnes Leavitt and husband Stephen of Woodbine, MD; Valerie Barnes Spampinato and husband TJ of Taneytown, MD; and Lauren Barnes Weisinger and husband Jeremy of Poplar Springs, MD. He is also survived by step-grandson Scott Leavitt, step-granddaughter, Morgan Leavitt; grandsons Benjamin William and Matthew Ryan Leavitt; step-grandson, Vincent Spampinato; grandson William Daniel Spampinato; and granddaughter Anika Weisinger. Additionally, Bill is survived by two sisters, Patricia Barnes Browning and husband Charles of Woodbine, MD, and Janice Barnes DellaRusso and husband Joe of Branson, MO; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn “Jeanie” Pickett Cushwa and husband John of Martinsburg, WV; and Ann Pickett Sansing and husband Richard of Columbia, MD; and numerous nieces and nephews. Family and friends will be received at the Haight Funeral Home & Chapel, 6416 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Monday, October 23, 2017. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Poplar Springs United Methodist Church, 915 East Watersville Road, Mount Airy, MD, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Interment will be at the Poplar Springs Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Poplar Springs United Methodist Church, 1878 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797.

Mr. William Edgar Barnes

January 12, 1944 - October 18, 2017