William Dale Connors
October 18, 1936 –
February 24, 2025
William “Billy” Dale Connors passed away Monday, February 24, 2025.
Billy was born in Filbert in 1936. He attended Maxwell Elementary and served as an altar boy at St. James Catholic Church in Dutchill. He was a member of the Boy Scouts with its motto “Be Prepared”. He was proud to be a scout and his scout master was Cokey Gemas.
Billy attended Brownsville High School, where he played quarterback and was a baseball catcher for coaches Warner Fritsch and Charlie Slick.
He was a graduate of Salem College, where he started four years in both football and baseball, and was selected in both sports in the All 50-year WVIAC Conference under coaches Ted Underwood and Clem Clower.
Preceding him in death were his father, Martin Connors; mother, Leora Murray Connors; brothers, Marty (wife Jerri), Thomas (wife Beverly); and sisters, Naomi Connors Crapp (John), Irma Connors-Miller (Dick).
Billy married his childhood sweetheart, Pearl Clair Connors and had one son, Jeff Connors. Jeff was the former assistant athletics director for strength and conditioning at several Division 1 universities. Billy spent countless hours in conversation with Jeff discussing football and various collegiate teams.
Surviving Billy are his wife, Pearl Clair Connors; son Jeff and wife Michele; their two children, Kaitlin and Beau and his wife, Lacey; one great-granddaughter, Maggie and another due in 3 short weeks; and his last living sibling, sister Shirley Connors Lazzaro (Roland).
Billy and Pearl retired to Leesburg, Fla. to golf and socialize for many years. In 2016, they moved to Greenville, N.C. to be near family.
Billy was a member of The Knights of Columbus, Pilgrims Peace Center, Apostles of Love (Medjugorje), St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Leesburg, and St. Gabriels in Greenville. He belonged to the Clown Ministry to the sick, Rosary Makers and and was the prison ministry captain of Fatima Rosary.
He was inducted into Salem College Hall of Fame (player), Pennsylvania Hall of Fame Washington Greene County Chapter (coach), Tri-County Hall of Fame (coach), and Mid-Mon Valley HOF (coach) for Beth Center 1975 Team Hall of Fame.
Billy taught English and physican education, and coached at Beth Center, Ringgold and Belle Vernon high schools. He had a successful coaching career winning the WPIAL Championship at Beth Center in 1975 and Ringgold in 1982.
A special thank you to his aide, Theresa Adkins for being at his side the last few years.
Family and friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 28, in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, PA 15417, where a Prayer Service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 1. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in The Historic Church of St. Peter, with interment following in LaFayette Memorial Park.
www.skirpanfuneralhome.com