Cwo4 William Ralph, Jr. (Usn Ret.)

CWO4 William E. Ralph, Jr. (USN Ret.) died peacefully on Tuesday August 15^th while surrounded by his loving family.  Bill was born on February 1, 1933.  He was the eldest son of William E. Ralph, Sr. and May Anna (Kelley) Ralph. 

             In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother John Ralph, Sr. and his uncle Fred C. Ralph, Jr.

             Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara  “Bim" (Miller) Ralph.  He is also survived by his children, Gaylene Eckleberry and her husband Mark of Waynesburg, Gwen Garbarino, Esq. and her husband G. Barrett "Barry" Garbarino, Jr., Esq., of State College, Grant Ralph of Girard, Greg Ralph of Fairview, and his sister Vaska Lewis and her husband Tom of Millcreek.

            Family was a very important part of Bill’s life.  He was “Poppy” to his grandchildren, Haley Baird, Casey Baird, Jennifer Ralph and Stokely Ralph, along with his 5 step-grandchildren, Kari Roupe (Chris), Kayla Eckleberry, Payden Eckleberry, Brooke Bonovitch and G. Barrett Garbarino III (Louis).  He was “Great Poppy” to his 5 step great-grandchildren, Laikynn Eckleberry, Kase Roupe, Colt Roupe, Molly Bonovitch and Zachary Bonovitch. 

            Bill is also survived by his cousins Fred C. Ralph III and Dwight Ralph, his niece Tina Maloney, his nephews Dan Lewis, Tom Lewis, John F. Ralph, Jr. and James Ralph along with several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

   Bill had many close friends throughout his lifetime. He met many of his friends while serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve for 38 years.  He received several U.S. Navy commendations during his service.

 Bill graduated from Millcreek High School in 1950.  After graduating, he continued his work with the family business, Fred C. Ralph Fisheries.  Bill later had a career as a paper and printing supplies salesman.  He retired from D.J. Mead as the manager of their Erie operations. 

             Bill had many interests.  As a young man, he raced D-Class hydroplanes.  He owned many boats and enjoyed being out on Lake Erie fishing for perch and walleye (always sharing his catch with family & friends!).  He played in tennis leagues at Westwood Racquet Club and Lake Shore Country Club.  He was a skilled carpenter and handyman.

             The Family would like to thank Bill’s neighbors Ed and Lydia Haynor and Chris and Bob Marsh for all of their help during his recent illness.  Thank you also to Bill’s many loyal friends, to Sally Fairchild and Shirley Loeslein for their devoted friendship with Bill and Bim, and to Bonnie Zebrowski, CRNP of Medicor Heart Failure Clinic and all of the compassionate people at UPMC Hamot who cared for Bill.

             Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Saturday August 26 from 9:30 until the time of the memorial service at 11am at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 1208 Asbury Rd., Erie, PA 16506, presided by Pastor Jack Tickle from Fairview United Methodist Church.  Burial in Fairview Cemetery.

           Memorials may be made to the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home, 560 E. 3^rd Street, Erie, PA 16507 or to the Fairview United Methodist Church, 4601 Avonia Rd., Fairview, PA  16415.