William C. Mumaw

William C. 'Bill' Mumaw, 89, formerly of Apollo and Washington Township, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Concordia Lutheran Ministries, Cabot. Born Sept. 18, 1934, in Pittsburgh, he was a son of the late Dr. John Mumaw and Ruth Marie (Wise) Mumaw. Bill was a 1952 graduate of Apollo High School, and in 1956 he obtained his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Allegheny College, where he was a legacy student. He served our country with the United States Army as a Specialist, 3rd Class, from 1956 to 1958. Bill was employed for 38 years as a senior research engineer at the United States Steel Research Center in Monroeville, spending his last seven years as a manager of the Analytical Chemistry and Physics Division. His team participated in several worthy research projects, including the examination of the Apollo 12 moon rocks. He retired in 1995. He was a life-time member of Apollo United Presbyterian Church for 69 years, where he served as a deacon, elder, and usher. As an usher of 14 years, fellow ushers, members, and visitors will always remember how he welcomed them with a warm smile and a joke. Bill was a member of the Apollo Masonic Lodge No. 437. He held the office of master in 1978 and 1982. He also held the offices of secretary, treasurer, trustee, instructor, and chaplain. He served as District Deputy Grand Master of the 39th Masonic District from 1982-1988. Bill joined the Coudersport Consistory in 1977 as a member of the Kenneth M. Shuster class. He was elected to the Coudersport Council of Princes of Jerusalem, serving as Sovereign Prince in 2010-2011. He was presenting chairman of the Membership Development and Retention Committee (Southern Area). He was also Chairman of the Membership Committee for the 27th Masonic District and was an authorized Grand Lodge speaker on Masonic education. He spoke on a regular basis in various lodges in and out of the district. Bill's proudest moment was being coroneted Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33rd Degree Mason in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the Syria Shriners and participated in fundraising events and other activities with the organization. Bill loved the outdoors, especially golfing and gardening. Bill enjoyed watching sports and discussing those events with his son and sons-in-law. He was an avid reader of historical fiction and non-fiction, and he especially loved ocean vacations with his family at various beaches on the east coast. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Mumaw. Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Shirley A. (Barto) Mumaw (also of Apollo); children, Rebecca (Charles) Moyes of New Kensington, Cynthia (Bryan) Bidlack of Somerset, NJ, the Reverend William C. (Laura) Mumaw II of Slippery Rock; grandchildren, Charles Moyes, III (Seonyoung), Kiersten Dykstra (Eric), Aaron Bidlack, Alexa Bidlack, Benjamin Mumaw, Adam Mumaw; great-grandson, Joel Dykstra; sister-in-law, LaRue Mumaw of Apollo; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was widely known for his sharp wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He always had an entertaining story to share. He was beloved by many and will be missed by all. Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Tribute Service at 12 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, in the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. A masonic funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. by Apollo Masonic Lodge #437. Please join the family as they honor Bill's life. Private interment in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered in Bill's memory to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, 105 40th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201, or Apollo United Presbyterian Church, 401 1st St., Apollo, PA 15613. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.