William James “Bill” McCandless

William James “Bill” McCandless, 75, formerly of Wick in Slippery Rock Township, passed away peacefully Tuesday at his home in Jefferson City, Mo., after a lengthy illness.

He was born Sept. 3, 1940, in Grove City to James Jackson and Beatrice Amber Snyder McCandless.

He attended Slippery Rock High School, where he excelled in sports, particularly varsity basketball. As a teenager, he was proficient in roller skating at Rock Falls Park, Slippery Rock, and enjoyed playing softball for Bethel Church, Adams Corners.

At age 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. During the next 22 years, he served his country in many stateside assignments, as well as tours of duty in Germany, Korea and two tours in Vietnam, receiving various medals. He retired Oct. 31, 1981, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., at the rank of E-7.

After his military retirement, he sold insurance, drove a commercial truck delivering oil products throughout his community and retired from the state of Missouri after working as a correctional officer at the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center, Fulton, Mo.

His hobbies were tending to his flower gardens and improving his computer skills.

He married Betsy Bennett on July 6, 1964. He is survived by his second wife, Peggy Jean Ballard, who he married Jan. 5, l981; one brother in-law; one sister in-law; one stepdaughter; one stepson; one brother, Eugene (Carolyn) McCandless of Slippery Rock; one sister, Darlene (Jack) Winger of Poquoson, Va.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Weitzel.

MCCANDLESS — Per the wishes of William James “Bill” McCandless, who died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, his remains will be cremated with no service or memorial.