Obituary for William R. "Bill" O'Brien
William R. "Bill" O'Brien, age 71, of Tyrone, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2016 at his home.
He was born on December 29, 1944 in Altoona, the son of Earl B "Peck" and M. Lorraine (Thompson) Dawson. On January 20, 1968 at Birmingham Presbyterian Church he was married to Susan A. Hoover who survives. Also surviving are two children, a son Patrick E. (Leanne) of Columbia, SC and a daughter, Donna L. O'Brien of Tyrone.
Bill was a Class of 1962 graduate of Tyrone Area High School. From 1962 through 1966 he served in the US Air Force and was a member of the Air Commanders. He retired in 2004 from the Maintenance Department of PPG Industries, Tipton, after more than 30 years of service.
He was a volunteer fire fighter from the age of 16 and is believed to be the oldest active firefighter in the Tyrone Fire Department. He was a member of Neptune Fire Company, where thought the years he held many offices including President, Co-Chief, and Assistant Dept. Chief. He was a PA State Fire instructor and also taught industrial fire school for PPG Industries/ In addition, he was a member of the Warriors Mark Vol. Fire Company and the Central District Allied Volunteer Firemen's Association.
Bill shared the belief that "the best thing an old firefighter can teach a young firefighter is how to be an old firefighter."
He served on the board of directors of the Tyrone Comm. Players and was a member of the Tyrone Elks and the Tyrone American Legion. He also was an active member of the Bald Eagle United Methodist Church and the Seekers of Light Sunday School Class. He had been a member of the Boy Scouts, both as a Scout and a leader, and had been in the Tyrone Gardner Guards and the Tyrone Guards Drum Bugle Corps. He had also been a member of the Allegheny Chorale.
Friends will be received at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. on Thursday February 4th from 3 to 7 PM and on Friday from 10 to 11 AM prior to the 11 AM funeral service with Pastor Peter Dittman officiating. Interment with military honors will be accorded by the Tyrone Honor Guard at Blair Memorial Park.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Neptune Fire Company 1701 Lincoln Avenue Tyrone PA 16686; the Tyrone Community Players Building Fund PO Box 209 Tyrone PA 16686; or the Bald Eagle UM Church 2785 Bald Eagle Pike Tyrone PA 16686.
He was born on December 29, 1944 in Altoona, the son of Earl B "Peck" and M. Lorraine (Thompson) Dawson. On January 20, 1968 at Birmingham Presbyterian Church he was married to Susan A. Hoover who survives. Also surviving are two children, a son Patrick E. (Leanne) of Columbia, SC and a daughter, Donna L. O'Brien of Tyrone.
Bill was a Class of 1962 graduate of Tyrone Area High School. From 1962 through 1966 he served in the US Air Force and was a member of the Air Commanders. He retired in 2004 from the Maintenance Department of PPG Industries, Tipton, after more than 30 years of service.
He was a volunteer fire fighter from the age of 16 and is believed to be the oldest active firefighter in the Tyrone Fire Department. He was a member of Neptune Fire Company, where thought the years he held many offices including President, Co-Chief, and Assistant Dept. Chief. He was a PA State Fire instructor and also taught industrial fire school for PPG Industries/ In addition, he was a member of the Warriors Mark Vol. Fire Company and the Central District Allied Volunteer Firemen's Association.
Bill shared the belief that "the best thing an old firefighter can teach a young firefighter is how to be an old firefighter."
He served on the board of directors of the Tyrone Comm. Players and was a member of the Tyrone Elks and the Tyrone American Legion. He also was an active member of the Bald Eagle United Methodist Church and the Seekers of Light Sunday School Class. He had been a member of the Boy Scouts, both as a Scout and a leader, and had been in the Tyrone Gardner Guards and the Tyrone Guards Drum Bugle Corps. He had also been a member of the Allegheny Chorale.
Friends will be received at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. on Thursday February 4th from 3 to 7 PM and on Friday from 10 to 11 AM prior to the 11 AM funeral service with Pastor Peter Dittman officiating. Interment with military honors will be accorded by the Tyrone Honor Guard at Blair Memorial Park.
Contributions in his memory can be made to the Neptune Fire Company 1701 Lincoln Avenue Tyrone PA 16686; the Tyrone Community Players Building Fund PO Box 209 Tyrone PA 16686; or the Bald Eagle UM Church 2785 Bald Eagle Pike Tyrone PA 16686.