William Read "Bill" Samples

William Read "Bill" Samples, 93, died March 8, 2025 at Providence Point, surrounded by his children. He was born on October 17, 1931 in Whipple, West Virginia, the son of Carl Hamilton and Hazel (Thrasher) Samples.
Bill graduated from Mt Hope High School, Class of 1949, Mt Hope, WVa.
He earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, West Virginia University, 1953. He was in the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honorary Society. Bill married Margaret (Peggy) Graff at her parent's house in Mt Hope, in December 1953. Bill and Peg moved to Boston where he furthered his education at Harvard University, receiving a Master of Science in Engineering, 1955 and then a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering, in 1959. Through their 64 year marriage Bill and Peg resided in Cambridge, MA, Altadena, CA, and Pittsburgh, PA.
Following his education at Harvard, Bill became Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, 1959-1965, he taught hydraulics in other "schools" as the environmental engineering program was just being established, he won grant funding from the US Public Health Service for a waste water reclamation project; Bill served as a Consultant for Montgomery Engineers, Pasadena, 1959-1965. Bill took a position as Research Fellow at Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, 1965-1967; Senior Research Fellow, Mellon Institute, Pittsburgh, 1967-1969, during this time Mellon Institute received grant funding from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) which shifted their focus to environmental control around steel making; Department Head, Carnegie-Mellon U., Pittsburgh, 1969-1971. He served on the Advisory board for Federal Water Pollution Control, Washington, DC, 1967, and United States Environmental Protection Agency Air, Washington, 1968-1971. In 1971 Bill stepped away from academia and research, taking the job of Environmental Coordinator, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, 1971-1978; Manager of Environmental Control, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, 1978-1990; Director Environmental Control, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel, 1990-2000. He served as a member of the W.Va. division Environmental Protection Advisory Committee. During his tenure at Wheeling -Pittsburgh the company underwent two reorganizations under bankruptcy. Bill was instrumental in keeping organizational focus on successfully meeting and exceeding federal and state standards for air and solids emissions. Following his retirement in 2000, he continued to support Wheeling-Pittsburgh as a strategic consultant.
Throughout his life, Bill was motivated by his strong personal belief in God's saving grace through Jesus Christ. He and Peg shared in that faith and were committed in service at Mt Lebanon Christian Church. He served there in many ways as teacher, elder, Sunday School Superintendent, mentor, caterer, grass cutter, preacher, committee and congregation chair. His faith rubbed off on many others. Bill lent his time and energy in support of people in need.
Bill enjoyed sports and was a life long fan of the NY Yankees. He always rooted for WVU and the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates. He had a serious green thumb and enjoyed taking care of his lush lawn and landscaped gardens on Weston Drive. He enjoyed vacationing with family, traveling and spending time in Holden Beach, NC, Sanford and Ft. Myers, FL, Wilmington, DE, Maine, Hawaii, Sedona, AZ and Alaska. He and Peg were wonderful parents and grandparents and strove to make opportunities available and to always lend support.
He is survived by his children, Carl (Kathy), Read (Diann), Scott (Marcia), and Ann (Don); and three grandchildren, Jake (Alyssa), Rachel and Shelby (Dustin) his great grandson, Winston and special friend Staci Finch. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 64 years, Margaret "Peggy"; his son-in-law, Joe; his sister, Charlotte and brother, Jack. A memorial celebration service will be held at Providence Point in the Providence Chapel, on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10 AM. Attire is informal. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Mt. Lebanon Christian Church (https://www.mtlebocc.org/).
Arrangements by BEINHAUERS, 412-531-4000. Please view or add tributes at www.beinhauer.com.