William J. ‘Bill’ Clendaniel
William J. ‘Bill’ Clendaniel, 88, of California, PA, died Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at home with his family by his side.
He was born at 25 Hood Street in Brownsville, PA, on Friday, July 28, 1922 to Daniel Gallatin Clendaniel and Emma (Juran) Clendaniel.
Bill graduated from Brownsville High School with the Class of 1940.
Bill worked for a time in the Civilian Conservation Corps before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps (which became the U.S. Air Force). Bill was a 20-year veteran of the USAF, serving mainly as a flight mechanic for P-51 aircraft. He served in India during World War II and is also a veteran of the Korean War. He was also stationed in Japan and Saudi Arabia. He was recently interviewed as part of PCN’s World War II: In Their Own Words.
Bill married Fern Petrucci of Denbo in 1949. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years in 2009 as well as brothers Daniel and Ray Clendaniel and sister Ruth Pineau.
Upon his retirement from the military, Bill worked as an athletic equipment supervisor for California University of PA for 20 years until his retirement in 1985. In 2006, he was elected to the California University of Pennsylvania Athletic Hall of Fame for his work with athletes and coaches.
Bill loved his family, his special dog, Sam and tending to his vegetable garden. He believed in the values of family, patriotism, loyalty, honesty and education.
Bill is survived by his five children: Nancy Yakopovich and husband, Mark of Malden, William Clendaniel and wife, Michele of Fairfax, VA, James Clendaniel and wife, Linda of Jacksonville, FL, Daniel Clendaniel and wife, Mary of Manassas, VA, and Thomas P. Clendaniel of Butler, PA. Also surviving him are his grandchildren: Paul Yakopovich and his wife, Sierra, Scott Clendaniel and his wife, Mary, John Clendaniel and his wife, Vanessa, Sarah Hogan and her husband, Jason, and Steven Clendaniel; also surviving are his great-grandchildren: Noah and Liam Yakopovich, and Erin and Colin Hogan. Survivors also include brother-in-law, George Massimini, nieces Hillary Bill and her husband, Ralph, Natalie Massimini, Yvonne Bridgeman and her husband, Sam, Janet Pope and her husband, Craig, Dianne Raynan and her husband, John and Michelle Hamilton and her husband, Jack.
Friends will be received in the MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME, INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Supervisor, 323 Fourth St., California, Pa. today, July 30, 2011 from 7-9 p.m., on Friday July 1, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2, when services will be held in the funeral home with Father George Moneck officiating.
Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, it was Bill’s request that donations be made to the Washington County Humane Society, PO Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330 or online at www.washingtonpashelter.org