William H. Kersten Jr.

William Henry Kersten Jr., 85, of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on December 31, 2025. He was born on April 14, 1940, the son of the late William H. Kersten Sr. and Esther Emma Martz Kersten in Delmont, Pennsylvania. William, known to many as Bill/ Willie, retired from Westinghouse in East Pittsburgh after many years of service. Following his retirement, he continued working for Siemens in Charlotte, North Carolina, and later for GMS in East Pittsburgh. He was a member of Word of Life Church in Greensburg. Bill had a quiet appreciation for life's simple pleasures. He enjoyed two cookies and a coffee to start his day, visits to the library, reading books on his porch while awaiting Meals on Wheels, a daily trip to visit friends at the post office, working on challenging 3-D puzzles, and spending time tinkering with his tractor. He had a special fondness for his cat, Henry, and treasured most the laughter and company of his family when they stopped by to see him. He is survived by his sisters, Royetta Shick (Donald) and Margaret "Peg" Kovalchuck (Fred); his five children, Anita Massimini (Joseph), Emmalee Tusco (Alex), Cherie O'Neal (Robert), Ray Kersten, and Royetta Rowe (Doug); 20 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Taylor Kersten; his second wife, Beatrice Haines Kersten; his son, Edward Sisson; his grandson, Michael O'Sullivan; and his nephew, Dale Waugaman. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the James W. Shirley Funeral Home Inc. 176 Clay Pike, North Huntingdon. A service will be held Monday in the funeral home chapel at 11 AM with Pastor Harvey Thurston officiating. Interment will follow at Brush Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Norwin Meals on Wheels, an organization that Bill appreciated.