William P. Kratsa Sr.
William P. Kratsa Sr.
Obituary
Guest Book
William Kratsa Obituary
WILLIAM P., SR. "BILLY KAY"
On Saturday, October 27, 2007, William P. Kratsa "Billy Kay", 91 of Harmar (formerly of Oakmont) died peacefully at UPMC Shadyside Hospital. Husband of the late Stella (Loizes) Kratsa; beloved father of Perry W. Kratsa of Harmar, James "Nick" (Marianne ) Kratsa of Fox Chapel, William P. (Susan) Kratsa of Fox Chapel and the late Mary Kratsa; brother of the late Steve, Pete, George Kratsa and Vasiliki Mammatas, Efthimia Futules, Anna Kratsas, Sophia Batuyios and Elpiniky Mortzos; grandfather of Tia (Nick) Saffo of Wilmington, NC, Nina Kratsa of Los Angeles, CA, Caleb Kratsa of Wilmington, NC, Joshua Kratsa of Indiana Twp., Mimi (John) Carson of Indiana Twp., Eric Kratsa of Los Angeles, CA, Melissa (Kevin) Orie of Fox Chapel, Kara Kratsa of Fox Chapel, William P. Kratsa III of Fox Chapel, Steven (Danielle) Kratsa of Indiana Twp., Kelly (Emanuel) DiNatale of O'Hara, and Dana Kratsa of Fox Chapel; great grandfather of Avery, Dea, Perry, Angelia, Lena, Ava, Kara, Emanuel, William and Andrew. Mr. Kratsa was a founder, member and First President of the Greek Church of the Holy Dormition, Oakmont. He was founder of Kratsa Properties, and previously owned Billy Kay's Bar in Verona, now owned by his great nephew. William opened the Red Raven in Harmar, which became the Holiday Inn. Billy Kay opened Periwinkle's Bakery in Harmar after his retirement. Baking was his first love, having delivered bread with his father Pericles William to many homes in the Oakmont and Verona areas. He participated in the Billy Kay Band. Former employee with the Edgewater Steel Corp., Oakmont. William was a member of F & AM Chartiers Valley Lodge 725 and Syria Temple. He also was a member of Musician's Local Union 60-47F. William P. affectionately known as Billy K will be remembered for his many acts of generosity and kindness to many people. Friends will be received at BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont, Monday and Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 pm. Additional visitation with the family will be held Wednesday from 10 am until 11 am Service at the Greek Church of Holy Dormition, 12 Washington Ave., Oakmont. Trisagion Services will be held Monday and Tuesday evenings 7:30 pm at the funeral home. Interment will follow in the Verona Cemetery Oakmont. If so desired, the family suggests memorials to the Hillman Cancer Center.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
steve lorenz
November 2, 2007
Nick,Perry and Bill...so sorry for your loss...your father was one of a kind..a thoughtful and generous friend to many...He will be missed.
Brad Mckean
November 1, 2007
Nick and Bill,
I was sorry to learn of BK's passing while Blair and I were out of town. Please know that our thoughts are with you.
Brad and Blair
sophia saffo brewer
October 31, 2007
Billy K was a great man and will be missed by all.
Richard Weinzetl
October 30, 2007
Billy,Nick,Perry & Family: Please
accept my deepest sympathies on the
loss of your Father. I'll remember the talks in the bakery office and
golfing with "Billy Kay" Still play his tape in the car.
Dick Weinzetl-Retired LCB
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Albert Calfe
October 30, 2007
Billy Kay, came a long way from the bakery on Valley Street,Oakmont, Pa. He gave me my first job, didn't do much, I think he felt sorry for me and my 12 sisters and brothers, who had very little. What a great Man! A void hard to fill. I am sorry for your loss.
evelyn
October 29, 2007
Billy was gregarious, self made, generous man. He sure played a mean sax and made a great bread.
My friends and I spent great times with Billy at the Red Raven and at the yatch club.
It was a privalege to call him friend.
Kristin Regalski
October 29, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kratsa family. Nick your dad was always very friendly and made Mema laugh. He will be greatly missed. We love you,
The Regalski's: Mike, Krissy, Cameron, and Jesse
Mark Champagne
October 29, 2007
BK was a pure pleasure. I looked forward to meeting him every day I was at work. He gave me grandfatherly advice, told me wonderful stories about his past struggles building his business and about his wonderful friends in the world of "Big Band" music. I feel truly privileged to have known him and my condolences go out to his warm and loving family.
JERRY &HELEN TSUDIS
October 29, 2007
Bill was agreat human being
and atrue family friend
God rest his soul
Bill Marszalek
October 29, 2007
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Billy was a true self made man. I know I will miss him. I would stop by the bakery when I had the opportunity to see Billy. As former Secretary of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union I got to know him from my visits to the bakery and from his phone calls to me at the office. He will be greatly missed.
Carol Jane Broz
October 29, 2007
What a life. What a legacy. I will miss him greatly.
Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results
421 Allegheny Avenue, Oakmont, PA 15139
Make a Donation
in William Kratsa's name
How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor William Kratsa's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
