William T. "Bill" Barnett

William "Bill" T. Barnett of Bethlehem died December 31, 2023. William was born in Bethlehem, PA, the second of seven children, born to Timothy and Emily (Mullen) Barnett. He graduated from the former Bethlehem Business School where he completed the accounting/finance program. He was an auditor/accountant for the Philadelphia, Bethlehem and New England Railroad (PB&NE), a subsidiary of the former Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Bill retired in 1983 after 33 years of service. Growing up in Bethlehem William was very fond of his days swimming with the boys from the hole, down in the Lehigh River and Lehigh Canal with whom he went to Calypso Elementary School. A veteran of World War II, he served 3 years with the U.S. Naval Armed Guard as a gunner's mate aboard merchant ships. Bill was a member of the Lehigh Boosters Club, Bethlehem M.O.R.A. Club and the Goodfellows. Bill is survived by his son, Michael Barnett of Lederach, PA, life partner of Theodore Hallman, and a brother, Ronald Barnett, husband of Marcella of Sun City, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Charles Barnett, and sisters, Millicent McIntyre, Dorothy Gross, and Gladys Leatherwood. At William's request there will be no services held. Arrangements have been entrusted to Connell Funeral Home. www.connellfuneral.com Memorial contributions may be made in William's name to Lehigh Valley Hospice at Lehigh Valley Health Network and addressed to: Lehigh Valley Health Network, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883 Allentown, PA 18105, or to BrightStar Care of the Lehigh Valley, 118 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, PA 18018, or to Meals on Wheels, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 1302 N Sherman St, Allentown, PA 18109.