William G. Hlavac

1926 - 2021

William G. Hlavac, 95, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life surrounded by his loving family Tuesday evening, Nov. 16, 2021, in Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

The love of his life is Betty Jane Klym Hlavac. Together, Bill and Betty celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on June 22.

Born Sept. 24, 1926, in Swoyersville, William was one of five children born to the late George W. Hlavac Sr. and Anna Potocheck Hlavac.

Bill was a graduate of the former Kingston High School and he went on to further his education at King's College, Wilkes-Barre, where he was a member of its first graduating class in 1951, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

A United States Navy veteran, Bill enlisted at the age of 17 and honorably served his country for two years during World War II as a Seabee with the 36th Naval Construction Battalion.

Prior to his retirement, Bill was employed as an accountant for RCA-GE-Fairchild Semiconductor, Mountain Top. In his earlier years, he was employed as a certified public accountant in Philadelphia and also worked as a business accountant and auditor for the Office of Price Stabilization in Washington D.C.

Retirement was not a word in Bill's vocabulary, and he continued working part-time - first as a courier for the former Mellon Bank on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, and last as a security guard for the Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, working there until his 90th year!

A devout Catholic, Bill was a lifelong member of the former Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville, where his father was a founding member. Active within his church, he was a member of its Holy Name Society, served for many years as a lead usher and helped with the church's annual bazaar. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville. He was also a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Assumpta Council 3987, Luzerne.

Active within his community, Bill served for some years as the secretary for the Swoyersville Municipal Authority and was instrumental in lobbying to obtain the grant monies for Swoyersville to be connected to the public sewer system. He served on the Swoyersville Recreation Committee and established several playgrounds in Swoyersville. Additionally, he served on the 1976 Bicentennial Committee in Swoyersville; was the founder of the Swoyersville Girls Traveling Softball League; was an active member of the Swoyersville Kiwanis Club, serving as both its past president and past treasurer; and held membership with the Kings College Century Club.

A proud veteran, Bill was a life-member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville, serving two terms as its commander, and was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 283, Kingston.

Bill had many enjoyments in life, most especially golfing, bowling and tending to his garden. An avid sports enthusiast, he was a great fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penn State Nittany Lions and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Above all, Bill's greatest love in life was for his beloved family. He will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

The Hlavac family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to the staff of Golden Care of NEPA, Wilkes-Barre, especially Mike, Pat, Ellen, Lori and Maribeth for the wonderful care they bestowed upon Bill during his time of need; as well as Pat Quinn of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's Social Concerns Committee; and of course, Fr. Joseph Pisaneschi.

In addition to his parents, George and Anna Hlavac, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, George W. Hlavac Jr.; his sisters, Mary Saxon and Frances Casciato; and his beloved dogs, Montgomery and Cassie.

In addition to his wife, Betty, Bill is survived by his five daughters, Cheryl Hlavac Zuczek and her husband, Stan, Kennett Square; Nancy Donahue and her husband, George, Shavertown; Marybeth Hlavac, Horsham; Tina Mayerski and her husband, Joseph P., Pringle; and JulieAnne Hlavac Bruno and her husband, Joseph M., Flourtown; his five grandchildren, Jeffrey Zuczek and his wife, Chantal; William Joseph Bruno; Sabrina Elizabeth Bruno; Jeremy Joseph Mayerski; and Joshua William Mayerski; his two great-grandchildren, Carlie and Ellie Chan-Zuczek; his sister, Betty Kostick, Kingston; as well as his numerous nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bill's viewing which will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, with the Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville, where military honors will be accorded by the United States Navy.

For additional information or to send Bill's family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home's website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, PA 18704.