O'Brien

William S. O’Brien, 98, of Cranberry Township passed away Thursday evening at the Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community.

Born April 28, 1917, in Johnstown, Pa., he was the son of Frank S. and Leviah Joseph O’Brien.

Preceding him in death on April 19, 2006, was his wife of 61 years, Vicki Scott O’Brien, who he married on Oct. 15, 1944.

A 1935 graduate of Johnstown High School, he went on to the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, graduating in 1940.

Bill also served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the 447th Bombardment B17 in the European Theatre.

He received the American Theatre Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with three Bronze Stars.

Bill proudly served as a Pennsylvania State Trooper for more than 37 years.

During that time, he served in Hazelton, Stroudsburg, Butler, Sharon, New Castle, Beaver Falls, Rochester, Warrendale and Washington until his retirement as commander at the barracks in Mercer.

He was past president and life member of the Mercer County Chiefs of Police and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police 54 Brady Paul Lodge in Butler.

Bill was a member of the Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by two sons, Robert S. (Nancy) O’Brien of Clive, Iowa, and David L. (Jeanie) O’Brien of Cranberry Township; six grandchildren, Michelle Slinger, Sean O’Brien, Scott O’Brien, Christopher O’Brien, Alesia Oechslein and Gabriela O’Brien; and nine great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Stevenson; a brother, Charles E. O’Brien; and a granddaughter, Whitney Jo O’Brien Maguire.

Mr. O’Brien’s family wishes to convey a heartfelt thank you to the Sherwood Oaks staff for their care, compassion and professionalism shown to Bill throughout his five years of care.

O'BRIEN — Visitation for William S. O'Brien, who died Thursday, May 14, 2015, will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the R. Cunningham Funeral Home and Crematory, 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle.A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. Chris Weichman officiating. The New Castle Area Honor Guard will perform full military rites.Entombment will be in Castle View Gardens Mausoleum.Memorial contributions may be made to the Sherwood Oaks Employee Appreciation Fund. Checks may be made to S.O.R.A. and mailed to Sherwood Oaks, 100 Norman Drive, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.Online condolences may be offered at www.cunninghamfh.com.