MERCER, Pa. - William H. "Bill" Richter, 92, a resident of Countryside Nursing Home, Mercer, Pa., and formerly of 910 10th Ave., Sharon, Pa., has passed on from lung cancer at the home at 2:05 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2012, and has laid his head to rest peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus.
He was born on July 24, 1919, in Dickerson Run, Pa., the son of the late Harry K. and Anna L. Fulmer Richter.
He was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran.
In 1946, he moved to Sharon, where he met and fell in love with his wife, the former Charlene M. Sonk of Hartford. They were married May 8, 1948, and she survives him at Countryside.
Bill worked at the former Sharon Steel Co. as an inspector for 41 years, retiring in 1981. He was a member of Sharon First Methodist Church and its Methodist Men for many years. He was also a member of Hermitage Lodge 810, F&AM, Scottish Rite and Legion of Honor and Sharon VFW 1338. He was also a member and treasurer of the former German Home in Farrell, Pa.
Bill loved golf, bowling, baseball and football, and could always be found playing a good game of solitaire or working crossword puzzles. He loved to dance and was a fan of the music of Lenny Dee.
He was a humble and gentle man and loved his family dearly and would do anything in the world for them. He loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years. They raised two daughters, Judy Mayer Chevalier and Lynne Patton. Lynne survives with her companion D. Craig Stewart. Also surviving are grandchildren Eric Patton and his companion Maria Maciarello of Poland, Kristin Ellwood Patton and her companion Charles Strader of Niles, Pat Jackson, Pam Phelps, Tim and Tom Mayer, all of Oklahoma, and Albert Mayer of Arkansas.
Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Chevalier; sister, Evelyn Ferguson; and two nieces, Henrietta Busa and Jessie Ruth.
"Nothing on earth can compare to being safely tucked into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; rest well, Dad, we love you."
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home, 264 E. State St. Sharon, Pa., with the Rev. Bill Rudge of Rudge Ministries officiating. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, with military rites offered by a local veterans organization.
Arrangements have been handled by Joseph P. Brashen Funeral Service of Sharon, Pa.
(special notice)