Obituary of William J. Bea

William J. "Billy" Bea, Jr., age 93, a lifelong resident of Hawley, died Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Bethany Village in Bethany.

Mr. Bea was born May 29, 1925 in Hawley, PA and was the son of the late William J., Sr. and Evaline (Gilpin) Bea.

He was drafted into the army and served from 1943 to 1946 during World War II,  when he fought and was wounded in Normandy, thirteen days after the "D" day invasion and he earned nine medals and honors including the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct medal, the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal, the World War II Victory medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Honorable Service Lapel button and a Marksmanship Badge and Rifle Bar. After his service he returned to Hawley High School and graduated in 1947 and studied welding at Williamsport Institute and was a pipe fitter for the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad.

Billy was known as the honorary Mayor of Hawley and could be found sitting on either the Republican or Democratic benches in front of Hunt's Printing, visiting with everyone. He would characteristically tip his hat to anyone who walked by, and offer to strike up a conversation about the town of Hawley.  He loved his town and was the Grand Marshall of the 2011 July 4th parade in Hawley and was a charter member of the American Legion Post 311.

He is survived by one sister: Shirley Gumble of Paupack, PA; one nephew, Dana & his wife, Theresa  Gumble of Honesdale, PA; one niece, Susan & her husband Richard Campfield of Greentown, PA; several grandnieces and grandnephews and one great grandniece.

He was predeceased by a niece, Debra (Gumble) Gelatt.

Calling hours will be Thursday. December 6th from 10 to 11 am at Hawley United Methodist Church, 315 Church St., Hawley followed by the funeral service at 11 am with Rev. Jeff Levy officiating.

Burial will be in Green Gates Cemetery in Hawley.

Memorials may be made to Hawley United Methodist Church, 315 Church St., Hawley, PA 18428 or

Hospice Of Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Dr., #7, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702, www.hospicesacredheart.org/donations/

The family would like to thank Bethany Village and their staff along with the staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their support, care and compassion.