William P. Bednarik
William P. Bednarik, 73, of Allentown, Pa., and formerly of Uniontown, Pa., died Tuesday, April 9, 2002, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township. Born in Uniontown, Pa., he was the son of the William M. Bednarik and Anna Guley Bednarik.
He was the co-owner of Witwer-Jones Sporting Goods Company in Allentown, Pa., from 1965 to 1988. He joined the Company as a Junior Partner in 1958. He and Charles Bott purchased the company from H. R. Witwer in 1965.
Prior to that he was a School and Team Sports Representative for the A. W. Dice Company, Uniontown, Pa., and also Levy’s Sport Shop in Johnstown, Pa.
He formed the first sporting goods buying group in the Lehigh Valley in the 1960’s, a buying combine of firms in Bethlehem, Stroudsburg, Pottstown, Wilkes-Barre, and Allentown, Pa., to attain volume pricing from sporting goods manufacturers which enabled members to compete on an equal level against national chain corporations.
He was active as a Coach and Sponsor of City Class “A” Mens Basketball, Womens Basketball, and Women Softball teams. Those teams won championships both local and statewide and set some records which still stand today.
In that connection Witwer-Jones Company was awarded the first “City of Allentown Sports Sponsorship Award”.
He was active in Center City Merchant groups working with the city in planning and modification of plans that resulted in the creation of what used to be “Hamilton Mall”.
He was active with the Allentown Downtown Improvement District and was co-founder of the Hamilton Park Athletic Association.
He was a United States Air Force Veteran who served during the Korean War.
He was the husband of Shirley A. Roycroft Bednarik. They were married for 51 years this past March.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters: Bonnie Braxmeyer of New Tripoli, Pa., and Leann Rogers of Gilbertsville, Pa.; three sisters: Margaret Doman, Lillian Mesco, and Marie Katz all of Uniontown, Pa.; and two grandchildren.
All services were private.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Bethlehem, PA 18016.
Arrangements were under direction of the J. S. BURKHOLDER FUNERAL HOME INC., 1601 Hamilton Street, Allentown, PA 18102.