William Heath

Our cowboy, MacGyver, William “Bill” Hiram Heath, 64, of McKean, went to his mansion in glory, Sat., June 9, 2012 and is now seeing Jesus face to face. He was born Dec. 19, 1947 in Tampa, FL son of Vondell Hagin Heath Peterson and the late Joseph F. Heath, of Tampa, FL. He was a 1966 graduate of Toccoa Falls High School, Georgia. He served our country in the US Air Force as an ammunition specialist, stationed at Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines during the Vietnam War. He was transferred to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as a fire fighter, after he married Faith E. Hanna in 1970. He was awarded the Airman’s Medal for heroism involving risk of life on June 26, 1970.

William worked for National Fuel Gas in Erie for 39 years with notable promotions. He ended his career as Chief Inspector. He inspected the 12^th St. GE pipeline. In 2008, William started working on the Supply Pipeline (Marcellus Shale). This included the Empire Connector, Inter Connector and Trout Run Project. His specialty was trench-less construction.  He enjoyed his work and took pride in his accomplishments. 

He was an active volunteer, driving bus, hosting field trips, coordinating work-a-thons and bike-a-thons for Bethel Christian School. William attended Albion Nazarene Church where he served as song leader, sound system specialist and Cup of Water in Jesus Name Ministry. He loved taking care of and protecting his family. He planted, tended, canned and shared a huge garden. He cooked gourmet meals with the fruits of his labor. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting and woodworking. William had the ability to sum up a situation, find the solution and courageously respond. Above all he was a man of prayer, choosing to seek God’s wisdom, discernment and knowledge for his life path. His desire was to be victorious through glorifying God. I Peter 4:11 “Do you have the gift of speaking?  Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.  All Glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen”  

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Faith E. Hanna Heath; a son, Daniel Heath and wife Patricia of Batavia, IL; a daughter, Elizabeth Haskins and husband Christopher of Albion, PA; two brothers, Joseph Heath and wife Carol, and Thomas Heath and wife Roxanne, all of Panama City, FL; a sister, Christine Sutton and husband Lee of  St. Peter, MN; stepbrother Barry Peterson and wife Elaine of Niceville, FL; five grandchildren, Rachel and Nicole Heath of Batavia, IL and Daythan, Leah and Naomi Haskins of Albion; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

     The family will receive friends at the Scott Funeral Home, 2104 Myrtle St., Erie, Thursday, June 14, from 3 p.m. until the time of the Victorious Homecoming Service at 7 p.m.  Michael Anderson, God’s servant, Manager of National Fuel Gas will officiate. Deaconess Heidi G. Cowey, Chaplain of UPMC Hamot, will participate.  The Erie Crawford County Burial Detail will conduct military honors immediately following the service.  Private burial will be at Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Gideons International, P.O. Box 3004, Erie, PA 16508 or to VNA Hospice Services of Erie Co., 2253 W. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16506.

     Family and friends may view the on-line obituary, send condolences and order flowers at www.ScottFuneralHomeErie.com.