William Dempski

William Edward Dempski of Mountain Top died Nov. 22, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Hazleton.

Born in Wilkes-Barre Township, June 30, 1933, he was the son of the late Brinley and Helen (Yankoski) Dempski. Also preceding Bill in death was his brother, the late Brinley Dempski Jr. Bill, as he preferred to be called, resided in Mountain Top for the past 62 years and was the owner of Dempski Business Equipment Company until retirement. He was always a true role model for his employees, who learned so much from him. Bill was previously employed 20 years for SCM Corporation, Wilkes-Barre.

He was a 1951 graduate of Wilkes-Barre Township High School and a Korean War Veteran with the U.S. Navy, where he traveled abroad. Bill was well-known as an avid hunter and fisherman, earning many trophies in competitive events for over 65 years. He mentored young hunters and was involved with the Lions Club Fishing Derby and PA Hunter Safety Training. Being a PA Forest Fire Warden for 35 years, Bill, along with his crew, was involved with forest fire-fighting training. He had a well-known reputation as an accomplished taxidermist. Bill was a member of St. Jude's Church, Mountain Top, The Knights of Columbus Council No. 6440, and a Fourth Degree Member of Bishop William J. Hafey Assembly. He was a lifelong member of the Georgetown Conservation Club, serving on the Board of Directors, and a member of the Mt. Top Social Club and Mountain Top Lions Club.

Bill enjoyed family gatherings, especially during the holidays, and Easter egg hunts with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He always looked forward to the Conservation Club Labor Day outing and the club venison dinners. He treasured the times he spent hunting and fishing with his son, Bill Jr. Bill Sr. could create or fix anything, better than anyone you could hire — a natural talent, according to his daughter, Renee.

Surviving are his wife, the former Joan Yankoski; daughter, Renee and husband, Ralph DiBattista, Fredericksburg, Va.; son, William, and wife Terri, Apalachin, N.Y.; sister, JoAnn, and husband, Frank Erwetowski, Swan Point, Md.; sister-in-law, Beverly Dempski, Pringle, Pa.; grandchildren: Mark and wife Julie Dempski; great-grandchildren, Maggie and Greyson, Lakewood, N.Y., David Dempski and wife Kelly Guardia, Ashburn, Va., Amanda DiBattista wife of John Reardon; great-grandchildren Jack and Liam, Vienna, Va.

Arrangements for Bill's burial are being handled by Desiderio-Lehman Funeral Home in Mountain Top.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, in St. Jude Church, Mountain Top. Private interment will be in St. Mary's Chapel Mausoleum, St. Francis of Assisi Walk, St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Georgetown Conservation Club, 233½ Pulaski St., Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702.