William James Mehard Jr

William James Mehard, Jr. William James Mehard, Jr., age 92, of Daniel Island, SC, died Friday, September 19, 2025, after a month-long illness at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC. Known to all as Bill, he was born on January 27, 1933, in New Castle, PA to the late Mr. and Mrs. William James Mehard, Sr. (Ruby Morris Mehard). Bill met his beloved wife, Emma Jane (née Westlund), at Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA; they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 11, 2025. They have three children: David James Mehard (Jenifer Sparks Mehard), William Brian Mehard (Alyson Lehtman), and Leslie Mehard Brady (David Lee Brady); four grandchildren: Rachel Ann Mehard (Justin Hugh Register), Trevor James Mehard (Erin Minnigan Mehard), and twins, Alexander and Kyle Mehard; and two great-grandchildren: Tristan Hugh Register and Everett James Mehard. Bill is survived by two sisters: Catherine Joyce Fenechi and Patricia Schry. Upon high school graduation, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, which took him to many port cities of the world. He was commissioned as an officer and later retired in June 1976 in Charleston, SC, after 25 years of dedicated service as a Lt. Commander. The US Navy twice awarded him both the Good Conduct and the National Defense Service medals. A self-taught machinist at heart, he dabbled in many interests-foundry, pencil art, historic restoration….he could fix anything, to the delight of family and friends. He received the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Conservation Craftsmanship Award from Historic Charleston Foundation in April 2015 for his distinguished individual achievement in metal fabrication, an architectural craft essential to historic preservation in Charleston, SC. You can find his conservation efforts all around the Charleston peninsula. He later became the designated watch repairman at his retirement community. A loyal volunteer for the American Red Cross at the Naval Hospital Clinic for over 25 years, he also received the Guidance for Air Force Volunteer Excellence Award (VEA) for "exceptionally meritorious volunteer service to the Air Force community". Bill was also devoted to Aldersgate United Methodist Church in North Charleston, SC and tirelessly supported them with his time, talent, and treasure. Having globetrotted across military ports, Bill and Emma Jane continued traveling by RV with the SC Trekkers Fun Club and Carolina Cruisers, and drove to Alaska three times from Hanahan, SC. The family is grateful for the compassionate care Bill received in the Emergency Department and the Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit at MUSC. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at 10 a.m. at Daniel Pointe Retirement Community, 514 Robert Daniel Drive, Daniel Island, SC 29492. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MUSC Foundation, Aldersgate United Methodist Church - North Charleston, SC, Fisher House Foundation or a charity of choice.