William Petro

William “Bill” Petro, 88, of Blairsville, PA passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, in Independence Health System, Latrobe Hospital, Latrobe, PA.

The son of Stephen and Margaret (Kerakes) Petro, he was born on December 31, 1934, in Munhall, PA.

Bill worked for Westinghouse Specialty Metals in Blairsville for 38 years until his retirement in 1996.  While working for Westinghouse, he had the opportunity to travel to the Westinghouse plant in France and provide his expertise on how to improve their productivity.  In his spare time, Bill also worked on the family farm that he dearly loved and attended auctions.

Bill spent 20 years as a special and dear companion to Ruth Trimble of Blairsville, a childhood friend, who was reunited later in years.

Surviving are two daughters, Marlene Jasionowski of Mt. Lebanon, and Beth Gabelli (John) of Blairsville; seven grandchildren, Nicole, Jacob, Thomas, Luke, Haley, Brittany, and Brooke; and seven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley Mae (Suman) Petro in 2001, his son, Randy Petro in 2014, five brothers, Andrew, Frank “Freckles”, Walter, Nicholas, and Steven “Pete”, and four sisters, Betty Reese, Rose Bertolino, Margaret Petro, and Mary Jane Petro.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 24th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville.  A funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday at 11 AM with Pastor William Schaefer officiating.

Interment will be in the Blairsville Cemetery, Blairsville, PA.