Dec 11, 2019

William E. Speer III, 94, of Houston, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 7, 2019, in Washington Hospital, following a brief illness.

He was born June 18, 1925, in Oakdale, a son of the late William and Syvilla Smith Speer. On March 25, in Washington, he married the love of his life, Luella Marie Anderson. Mrs. Speer passed March 16, 2016, after 65 years of marriage.

Mr. Speer attended West Allegheny School District, where he was proud to be a drummer in the school band. In 11th grade, as the oldest son in the family not sent to war in World War II, he left school to take care of the family farm. He loved animals and always wanted to become a veterinarian.

His turn to enter the service came November 8, 1950. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged October 12, 1952.

Bill loved people and touched the lives of many in the community. He served as a salesman for various companies and retired from Wheeling Wholesale Grocery. While he had many titles through the years, there was nothing more important to him than his love of God and his family. He loved being “Pap” to all. Seeing Pap taking care of his yard and flowers, planting his garden, making pancakes for his grandchildren and hosting sleepovers, patiently carrying around the infant grandchildren and toddlers, attending sporting events and musical performances, talking with the neighbors, doing word searches, reading his Bible or other books, sitting on the porch and attending church were regular sights. His faith in God and sharing that faith were very important to him. He exuded the love of Christ, which he encountered as a young man; he wanted everyone to know this Jesus who had changed his life. He attended Central Assembly of God with his family for the past year when he was able. Previously, he was a faithful member of Covenant Life Fellowship, where he led the “Seniors Alive” group for many years with his wife, Luella.

Surviving are a daughter, Susan (J. Richard) Connor of Midlothian, Texas; a son, William (Cynthia) Speer of Washington; five grandchildren, Bethany (Trent) Connor Dowd of Midlothian, Joshua Connor of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Kaitlyn Speer of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Kelsey Speer of Ashburn, Va., and Matthew Speer of Lakeland, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Tyler Dowd of Midlothian; a brother, Donald (Sherry) Speer of Lubbock, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Deceased are three brothers, Lee E. Speer, Robert C. Speer and Thomas D. Speer.

Friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the hour of service, Saturday, December 14, in Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington, with Bill Speer and Rick Connor officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Hickory.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Crabtree-Kovacicek Veterans House of Washington City Mission, 84 West Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.

Arrangements are entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, Lawrence K. Donovan, director, Andrew C. Piatt, director.

Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhill.com.