William "Felt" Felter Jr., a well recognized figure in the South Sharp-Leadenhall community who help run its movie theater and later worked in a box company, died Feb. 25 at Perry Point Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was 93.
His niece Angela Cooper said Mr. Felter had been in a coma and died of complications from old age.
Born in Baltimore, Mr. Felter lived for many years on Creek Street near today's downtown sports stadiums. He attended city schools and served in the Army during World War II.
"Felt loved to laugh and make others laugh with his quick wit. He was a kind and gentle man; and was loved by all who knew him," said a friend, Thomas Gillard, a retired Baltimore County elementary school teacher and former South Baltimore resident. "He would sometimes do a dance step or two."
After the war, Mr. Felter joined the staff of the old Goldfield Theatre, a movie house in the historically black neighborhood that drew its name from Sharp and Leadenhall streets. The theater's name derives from Goldfield, Nev., where fighter Joe Gans, a Baltimore hero, defeated Battling Nelson for the lightweight championship in 1906.
Until the theater closed in the 1960s, Mr. Felter often combined the duties of the ticket seller, usher and manager in one role.
"We just knew him as the attendant, but when they showed a movie like The Tingler, he would keep order by running up and down the aisles with his flashlight," said Mr. Gillard. "He made sure all of us would be safe on those Saturday afternoons when we were away from our parents. He was like a good shepherd."
Mr. Gillard said that Mr. Felter was as well known in the Sharp-Leadenhall neighborhood as community activists Mildred Moon and Solo Gibbs, for whom a recreation center is named.
After the theater closed in the early 1960s, Mr. Felter worked with the Robey Moving Co., and up until the age of 90 was an employee of ABC Box Co.
"He was a neighborhood stalwart," said Alan Fink, an owner of the box business. "Even at the age of 90 he was as strong as an ox. He was beloved by all our employees, and he had the ability to bring peace whenever there was tension."
Mr. Felter was also a fixture at a 7-Eleven store at Hamburg and Hanover streets and often conversed with employees and customers.
He was an Orioles fan, and while at Perry Point he met former Orioles player Al Bumbry. At the nursing home, Mr. Felter would help the staff with getting those confined to wheelchairs to the dining area.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Estep Brothers Funeral Home 1300 N. Eutaw St.
Survivors also include a sister, Viola Mills of Baltimore; a friend, Alma Randolph of Baltimore; two other nieces; and two nephews.
jacques.kelly@baltsun.com