William J. Updegraff, Jr., 64, of Cascade, Md, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Waynesboro Hospital. After graduation from Smithsburg High School, he went to Hagerstown Junior College where he played baseball from 1969 to 1971. In 1970 his team won the Region 19 Tournament and he was named to the All-Tournament Team. In 1971 he was honored as a First Team Maryland JUCO selection. He transferred to High Point University where his team won the conference and went to the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Phoenix, AZ. He signed with the Oakland Athletics in 1973 as a catcher and played minor league baseball for two years, before being sidelined by a shoulder injury. In Jan. 1977, he began his career with the Maryland State Police. During his years in the Maryland State Police he was assigned to many specialty units including the Special Traffic Enforcement Unit as a Motorcycle Officer; and the Bus and Truck Unit. He also worked as an Accident Reconstructionist in Advanced Accident Investigation, and was a Drug Recognition Expert. He retired from the Maryland State Police in Sept. 1999. In 2005 he was inducted into the Hagerstown Community College Baseball Hall of Fame. In retirement he worked for the Thurmont Police Department, Hagerstown Community College, and the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, Frederick. He is survived by his mother Evelyn Updegraff of Cascade, Md., his daughter Robin Graber and husband Dan of Smithsburg, Md., his son Brian Updegraff and wife Sandy of Laurel, Md. and two grandchildren, Ella and Kayla Updegraff. He also leaves behind his brother Jim Updegraff and wife Vicki, his brother John Updegraff and wife Bonnie, his aunt Phylis Heiston, his uncle Gerald Heiston, all of Cascade, MD, many nieces, a nephew, great nieces and great nephews, and friend Becky Decker. He was preceded in death by his father William J. Updegraff, Sr., his aunt Doris Reed, and his uncle Harold "Jim" Heiston, Leroy "Pete" Heiston, and Fred Heiston. The family will receive friends from 2 to 5pm on Saturday, February 22 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. Private services and interment will be at the Germantown Bethel Cemetery, Cascade. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Concerns of Police Survivors, Maryland COPS, Treasurer, P.O. Box 393, Princess Anne, MD 21853. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at keeneybasford.com .
