William M. Serich, 80, formerly of Fairview Township and living at the Chicora Medical Center, died Sunday at VNA Inpatient Hospice, Butler.

He was born Nov. 5, 1931, in Perry Township, Armstrong County. His parents were Mirko and Mary B. (Bompage) Sirich.

William enjoyed hunting, fishing, and nature walks. He served with the U.S. Army 13th Engineer Battalion during the Korean War. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

William was an equipment operator for McCall Excavating in Petrolia for over 40 years. He was a member of the St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Bradys Bend; the American Legion Post 488, Bradys Bend, and the VFW Post 7132, Rimersburg.

He is survived by three brothers, Greg Serich of Harrison, Mich., Robert Sirich of Butler and Stephen Sirich and his wife, Lois, of Perry Township, Armstrong County; and one sister, Barbara E. Serich of Chicora.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and four sisters.

<B>SERICH</B> — Friends of William M. Serich, who died Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the <B>Charles B. Buechele Funeral Home,</B> 105 Fourth St., East Brady.A Mass of Christian burial with military honors will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Patrick Church, Bradys Bend, with the Rev. Ron Cyktor, pastor of the St. Patrick Church, officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Bradys Bend.The American Legion Post 488 will conduct a veterans service at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home.There will be a parish prayer service Tuesday at the funeral home.To view or express condolences, visit www.BuecheleFuneralHome.com.