William M. DeCrease

William M. DeCrease, 86, of Erie, Pa., died Friday, March 27, 2015, after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease.

"Bill" DeCrease, son of Nicholas and Estelle DeCrease, is survived by his loving wife, Alberta (Bindi) DeCrease, and his beloved children, Dean DeCrease, of Seattle, Wash., Drew DeCrease (and wife Beth), of Latrobe, and Lynn DeCrease Baron, of Alpharetta, Ga. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Gabriel DeCrease, Anna DeCrease, and Piper Baron, and his former daughter-in-law, Christine DeCrease.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph DeCrease, an infant daughter, Ann DeCrease, and recently by his beloved grandson, Ben DeCrease, of Seattle.

Bill served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He went on to obtain his Bachelor's Degree from Pennsylvania State University, and then pursued graduate course work at Case Western Reserve University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Bill was a research chemist with 22 patents, and was later a division manager at Lord Corporation. He retired early to build a business as a community consultant. In that capacity, he founded and led the Erie Excellence Council, which applied the principles of "total quality management." Bill was a recipient of the Erie Flame Award for service to the community. He was past chairman of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the American Adhesives and Sealants Council.

Bill put family above all else. A gifted storyteller and mentor, he loved to entertain family and friends with homemade or hand-selected wines, cheeses, and meats. He composed many science fiction novellas over the years, each with a compelling moral message embedded in the story. In his later years, he was known and loved as "Wild Bill" by his cohorts at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home in Erie. He remained an innovative thinker to the end, frequently devising new and creative solutions to humanity's problems. Bill's life was enriched by the many friendships he made during his lifetime in Erie; these relationships will be forever cherished.

Friends are invited to call on Monday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m., at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street, at Greengarden Boulevard. A service will be held there on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., at St. George Church. Burial will follow in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery. The family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Condolences and photos may be sent at www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits