William Smeltzer

1932 - 2023

William "Bill" Smeltzer, 91, of Washington Township, passed away Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, in AHN-Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights. Born March 29, 1932, in Apollo, he was the son of the late Donald Clair Smeltzer and Margaret (Mansfield) Smeltzer. Bill was a 1950 graduate of Washington Township High School and served our country with the Army for four years. Bill worked as a moulder and helper for Wean United for 29 years, and for 50 years, mowed around gas line right-a-ways for local gas companies. He was the former longtime caretaker of Pine Run Church Cemetery. Bill was a former member of The Community Church of Pine Run, current member of Manor Presbyterian Church and member of Gideon's International. His passion was farming, and loved working with grain, hay and his cattle. For many years, Bill raised turkeys for the local grocery stores to sell during the holidays. He was a Civil War buff and enjoyed visiting war locations. Bill loved spending time with his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Eileen "Blondie" (Bowman) Smeltzer, who passed away on Sept. 3, 2011; and his daughter, Susan Diane Tonecha. Bill is survived by his children, Deborah Ann (Howard) Evans Jr., of Allegheny Township, Robert Eugene Smeltzer, of North Vandergrift, and Linda Joy (Tracy) Lape, of Washington Township; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, in the CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, with Pastor Thomas Holmes officiating. Following the service, military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard. Private interment in Pine Run Church Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 862, Carnegie, PA 15106, or to Gideon's International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, D.C., 20090-7251. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.