Obituary of William J. Wyland

WYLAND William J. Bill, 93, Loretto, died May 28, 2014, at UPMC Altoona. Born Jan. 4, 1921, in Spangler, son of the late William D. and Myrtle S. (Eckenrode) Wyland. His wife, the former Agnes Hollen, died six hours later. Preceded in death by infant brother, Walter; infant sister, Erma; and brothers, Harold and Norbert. Survived by children, Kenneth (Mary Jane Hazenstab), Pittsburgh; Joyce Waka (Michael), Ebensburg; Frank (Marian Leap), Lilly; Terry (Leeann Konchan), Ebensburg; and Brian (Lori Fleisher), Harrisburg; grandchildren, Michelle Head (Ian), Kenneth Wyland Jr. (Kelly), Brad Wyland (Liz), Jill Wyland, Lee Wyland, Marci Wyland, Amy, A.J. and Katie Wyland; and great-grandchildren, Ryan Head, Marisa Head, Lillian Wyland and Benjamin Wyland. He was the last member of his immediate family. He served as a sergeant during World War ll in the Army Air Force and served in the 479th Flexible Gunnery Squadron in the Pacific Theater. Bill enjoyed golfing and bowling. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a carpenter for 14 years in the Altoona Pittsburgh Division, and retired from Agway in 1983 after 21 years of service as a heating technician. Charter member of Loretto American Legion. Life and charter member of Loretto Volunteer Fire Company, where he served as first fire chief for 14 years and as captain of the Fire Police. Life member of Disabled American Veterans. Charter member of National World War ll Memorial. He served as Scout Master for Loretto Boy Scouts Troop 287 for a number of years, served on the Loretto Borough Council and Basilica of St. Michael Church Council, where he also was an usher, and where funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, the Rev. Monsignor Timothy Swope, celebrant. Committal, St. Michael Cemetery, Loretto. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville, where vigil service will be held Friday. Military rites in charge of Loretto American Legion and other local military organizations. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Loretto Volunteer Fire Company in Bill s memory.