Obituary of William E Wakefield
Mr. William E. "Bill" Wakefield, 75, of Centerville, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 9:30 p.m. at Select Specialty Hospital in Erie.
Bill was born on April 15, 1945 in Titusville to the late Theodore H. Wakefield and Virginia M. Hicks Bishop. He married Rhetha L. Steadman on Jun 26, 1970.They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past year.
Bill was a graduate of Titusville High School, class of 1964 and the University of Pittsburgh Titusville Campus in 1985.
He was a veteran having served in the United States Marine Corp. He enlisted in September 1964 and served in Vietnam on a perimeter defense and as a machine gunner on a helicopter crew. He was honorably discharged on September 7, 1968 at Cherry Point, NC.
Bill began his employment at Universal Cyclops Specialty Steel in 1968 as department clerk. He retired when the plant closed in 1994 as a manager of operations. He continued to work at the plant for an additional five years as the site manager for ARMCO Corp. and one more year until 2000 for the Titusville Redevelopment Authority in the same capacity.
He was a lifetime member of the Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW.
Bill loved being with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, coin collecting, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
He is survived by his wife of Centerville; a daughter Kristen and husband Robert Forkl and grandson Bradley of Guys Mills, a daughter Kathy and husband Brian Lane and grandson Alex of Cambridge Springs; siblings Edward Wakefield and wife Karen of Titusville, Robert Bishop and companion Wayne Kipple of Phoenix, AZ, Rhea Webster of Maryland, Terry Wakefield and wife Bonnie of Titusville, Theodore Wakefield and wife Gail of Grand Valley, Scott Wakefield of Titusville, Kenneth Wakefield of Titusville; two sisters, Cynthia Wakefield of Titusville, and Delilah Beach of Titusville; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Family and friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. on Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. The members of the VFW and American Legion will conduct a full military service at 5p.m.
Inurnment will be at Kingsley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to Bruce Shorts Post 5958 VFW Scholarship Fund 206 St. Johns St. Titusville, PA 16354.
