William R. Beestrice

William R. Beestrice, 86, of Upper Burrell Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Born September 22, 1931, in a farmhouse in Milligantown, he grew up and lived his entire life in Upper Burrell Township. Mr. Beestrice graduated from Ken-Hi in 1949, then went to work for the Wear-Ever division of ALCOA until 1967.  Bill then worked for PPG in Springdale until 2000.  He was the Upper Burrell Township historian and volunteered on the Recreation Committee.  Bill was one of the oldest fireman at the Upper Burrell Township Volunteer Fire Company and was involved with the Upper Burrell Shamrocks for 34 years. He loved going to his camp in Ridgeway where he enjoyed hunting and hanging out with his buddies.  Bill also enjoyed boating and water skiing at his other camp on the river in Johnetta. He additionally liked going to his daughters camp. He belonged to the Lower Burrell Masons and the Syria Temple of Cheswick. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty A. Smicik Beestrice; and his daughters, Amy Beestrice Cromie of Oakmont and Becky Beestrice of Lower Burrell, as well as his nephew Marc Morgan (Kelly Hecker) and niece Marci Morgan Morr (Husband Steve and great niece and nephews, Brandin, Benjamin and Cody).  Also survived by his brother-in-law John (Crystal) Smicik, and their children, Symantha and Devin Shaffer and family.   He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Beestrice Morgan, and his parents, Gilbert and Mary Dorociak Beestrice. Viewing will be on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM in ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD., 217 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where a service will be held Thursday at 11 AM by Rev. Dean Ward, pastor of The River - A Community Church.  Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park in Lower Burrell. 

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