Obituary of William S. Proper

William S. Proper, 80, of Hilborn Avenue, died unexpectedly Monday afternoon, Nov. 2, at Hamot Medical Center. A resident of Erie since 1964, he was born in Titusville on June 27, 1929, a son of the late Ernest and Mary Curry Proper. William had worked at Smith-Meter for over 25 years before retiring in 1980, and was a member of the Westlake Fire Department for 13 years. He was a member of Lakewood United Methodist Church; a life member of the Disabled American Veterans; the Titusville #754 F&AM; and the American Legion Post 773 in Millcreek. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Shade Proper; one daughter, Millia Denise Proper; three brothers, Clarence, Clair and Raymond Proper; two sisters, Irene Greenawalt and Lillian Mehan; and one granddaughter, Lee Proper. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Karen Bitters Proper; three sons, Douglas Proper and his wife, Jean, of Erie, Dwight Proper and his wife, Barby, of Titusville, and William L. Proper and his wife, Trisha, of Guys Mills; one stepson, Eugene Gaerttner and his wife, Audrey, of North East; one brother, Richard Proper, of Rockville, Md.; two sisters, Dorothy Kunz and her husband, Merlin, of Centerville, and Betty Lou Prather, of Titusville; one sister in law, Florence Proper, of Titusville; 10 grandchildren; and and six great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt and Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Road (corner of East Gore and Pine Avenue) on Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Additional calling hours will take place at Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 303 N. Washington St, Titusville, on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be at Garrett Funeral Home on Saturday morning at 10. Burial with military honors will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral home. FLOWERS