William R. Eckenrode, 54, of Evans City died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon at UPMC Passavant Cranberry.

Born in Butler, Dec. 27, 1952, he was the son of the late James Thomas R. and Fonda Marie DeHart Eckenrode.

He was a Protestant.

Mr. Eckenrode was a laborer for Butler Local 323 of the Laborers Union for more than 30 years.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing and belonged to the Conway Sportsmen's Club. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia Kraus Eckenrode, whom he married Aug. 14, 1982; a stepdaughter, Theresa Rearick of Evans City; three brothers, Thomas Eckenrode of Harmony, Wesley "Tub" (Emma) Eckenrode of Callery and James "Brick" (Norma) Eckenrode of Springfield, Ohio; and three sisters, Patricia Weber and Lorain Christy of Butler; Mrs. Gary (Donna) Plaisted of Evans City and Mrs. Susan Christy of Butler; three grandchildren. Danielle Rearick of Butler and Shannon and Emily Rearick, both of Evans City; and three great-grandchildren, Dominick, Christopher Jr. and Nia Hartmann, all of Butler.

He was preceded in death by a stepson, Edward Rearick.

<B>ECKENRODE</B> — Friends of William R. Eckenrode, who died Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>A. Carl Kinsey-Ronald N. Volz Funeral Home</B>, 328 W. Main St., Evans City.Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. William Ritzert, pastor of St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church of Evans City, officiating. Burial will be at the Evans City Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Pittsburgh Office, 300 Penn Center Blvd., Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15235; or to the American Heart Association, 10 Duff Road, Suite 304, Pittsburgh, PA 15235-3207.Online condolences and information are available at www.kinsey-volzfuneralhome.com.