11/18/2025
William D. “Bill” Eisenhart, Jr.
March 12, 1938-November 15, 2025
William D. “Bill” Eisenhart, Jr., of Altoona, age 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, in his sleep surrounded by members of his immediate family. William, known lovingly as Bill, is survived by his wife Jytte of 65 years, and his three adult children, John (wife Elizabeth) of Pittsburgh, PA; James (wife Julie) of Nashville, Tennessee; and Jacquelyn (husband Dan Sipes) of Altoona. Bill also has 10 grandchildren. Bill is the youngest of three children and is predeceased by his sisters Barbara Cogan and Shirley Straw and his parents, William D. Eisenhart Sr. and Ruth Eisenhart, all of Altoona.
Bill was born March 12, 1938 in Altoona. He grew up in the neighborhood of 18th Street and Washington Avenue. Bill attended Wright School and Keith Junior High. Bill played baseball and boxed in the Golden Gloves. He graduated from Altoona High School in 1956.
In 1957, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to duty in Karlsruhe, Germany where he was assigned as a radio and telecommunications specialist. While on leave in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bill met Jytte Pedersen, to whom he proposed and later married on April 21, 1960. After a short break in service, Bill re-enlisted in the Army in 1963 and earned an appointment to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Bill graduated from OCS with his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to oversee marksmanship training and rifle qualification. Upon his promotion to Captain, Bill volunteered for duty in Vietnam and deployed to Vietnam in 1967.
Bill was assigned first as Headquarters Company Commander for 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. Because of “heroic actions against a hostile enemy” during a resupply convoy operation, Bill was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. After 6 months, Bill was reassigned as an advisor to Vietnamese Forces in Phu Hoa Province. On June 4, 1967, Vietcong forces attacked his outpost over a 36-hour period, and again on June 21. Bill personally directed the defense of the outpost and exposed himself repeatedly to hostile enemy fire to repel multiple attacks. For his actions, Bill was awarded the Bronze Star medal with “V” device for valor. After returning from Vietnam, Bill underwent medical treatment and administrative processing for medical retirement from the Army. Bill’s military awards and decorations include:
Bronze Star Medal w/ ”V” Device and 1 oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/ ”V” Device and 1 oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry
Meritorious Unit Citation w/ 2 oak leaf clusters, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge
Parachutist Badge (Airborne), Expert Marksmanship Badge (Pistol, Automatic Rifle, M-14), Jungle Expert Patch
Following his retirement from the Army, Bill attended Auburn University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in art education. He then attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where he earned his master’s degree in art education in 1975. He would later teach Art and American History at Keith Junior High School until he retired from the Altoona School District in 1990.
In retirement, Bill enjoyed traveling with Jytte, designing and constructing DIY building projects, gardening, and competing in Senior Olympics track and field events. Those that know Bill will remember him as a fierce American patriot. Bill always flew the American Flag at his home in Riggles Gap and on Taylor Avenue. Bill was a born teacher and loved to share his knowledge and experience to help people learn. He set a strong example for his children of self-reliance, self-discipline, hard work, love of family and love of Country.
Friends will be received from 1-3 PM, Friday, November 21, 2025 at The Stevens Mortuary, Inc., 1421 Eighth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602 followed by a funeral service with Military Honors at 3 PM in the Stevens Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Tyler Pepper.
Interment will be held at Blair Memorial Park.
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.