William M. ''Bill'' Priestas, Sr, 83, Passion for Fishing
William M. "Bill" Priestas, Sr, 83, of Sheffield Township, died Sunday January 9, 2011 at his home after a one-year illness.
He was born January 23, 1927 in Derry Township, Pennsylvania and had resided in Sheffield Township since 1965 moving from Lorain.
Bill served with the US Army during WWII as a staff sergeant in the 341st Infantry Regiment in Japan. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army Occupation Medal, WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
Bill worked at General Motors in Elyria in management and then as a Tool & Die Maker retiring in 1981 after nearly 34 years.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township. His passion was fishing and he enjoyed taking long car rides on weekends after breakfast.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Helen (nee Horvatich), children William M. Priestas, Jr. of Sandusky, Gayle Tomco of Rocky River, Linda Jones (Daniel) of Huron and Robert Priestas (Sue) of Nova, grandchildren Heather Gill (Arvin) of Milan, Warren Priestas of Lorain, Jacqueline Tomco of Rocky River, Roxanne Tomco of California, John Tomco of Avon Lake, Andrew Jones and Helen Jones, both of Huron, Robert Priestas (Erin) and John Priestas (Rhiannon), all of Columbus and Katie Alston of Lorain, 5 great grandchildren and brother Paul Priestas of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Anna Priestas (nee Corey), brothers John and George Priestas and sisters Mary Nagy, Vera Pavlocic and Dorothy Balduff.
The family will receive friends Wednesday 2-4 and 6 pm until the time of funeral services at 8 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave., Lorain. The Rev. John Slatcoff, deacon of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township, will officiate. Family and friends may gather at the funeral chapel on Thursday at 11:00 am to form a funeral procession and leave for Calvary Cemetery in Lorain where a graveside military funeral will take place. Disabled American Veterans Chapter #20 of Lorain will conduct military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to New Life Hospice, 3700 Kolbe Rd, Lorain, Ohio 44053 or the donor's choice.