Surviving are his wife, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage; two daughters: Deborah K. Benton of Altoona and Susan of Hollidaysburg; a son, W. Michael and wife, Sandra, and their sons, Noah and wife, Angela, and Zachary and wife, Kristen; a grandson, Christopher; five great-grandchildren; three sisters: Betty Whittacre of Huntingdon Beach, Calif., Shirley A. Barras of Doylestown and Elaine H. Pletcher of Altoona; and a brother, Leroy of San Diego, Calif. He was preceded in death by three sisters: Mary Lou, Helen M. Jones and Julie Ickes. Bill was a 1940 graduate of Claysburg High School.

He served in the U.S. Army, Company G, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and he was the recipient of the Purple Heart on Jan. 7, 1945, in Belgium.  He retired as a locomotive engineer with Amtrak/Conrail in 1987 after 45 years of service.

Bill was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Hollidaysburg, where he served as an usher. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Star of the Sea Council, VFW and American Legion. He was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed gardening. He volunteered with St. Vincent DePaul Food for Families Soup Kitchen for 11 years.

At Bill's request, a private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family at Sorge Funeral Home Inc., Hollidaysburg, by Father Anthony J. Legarski and Bill's grandson, Christopher J. Committal will be at New St. Mary Cemetery. Memorials may be given to St. Vincent DePaul Food for Families Soup Kitchen, 2201 Union Ave., Altoona, PA 16601; or St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Clark St., Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.