William was a farmer a half mile past Loretto, Pa., on the Brick Road in Allegheny Township. He died of myocarditis and also suffered from Parkinson’s Disease.

In 1940, his large barn was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. A farmhand, William Luther, discovered the roof ablaze shortly after beginning his daily chores at 2 a.m., and ran to Loretto to telephone for aid. The Cresson volunteer fire company responded in record time with its new apparatus, used for the first time. Lost in the fire were two cows, two horses, one bull, three hogs, two heffers, farm implements and a quantity of hay and wheat. The estimated loss of $5,000 was partially covered by insurance. Four corncribs and two out-buildings near the barn were also burned. Nearly 100 chickens were saved.