When it came to athletics, Joe Heitzer could do a lot of things.

The 1939 Butler graduate won gold medals in the United States Army, was snooker (pool) champion in England, won numerous local and state golf championships, and competed in state bowling championships.

His exploits in track and field are what finally landed him in the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame. Heitzer, who died in 2013 at age 94, will be inducted at the organization's annual banquet at 6 p.m. April 25 at the Butler Days Inn.

“We're just happy he's finally being recognized for his accomplishments in high school,” Linda Gibala, his daughter, said. “Obviously, we wish it had happened when he was alive, but he is very deserving of this.”

Gibala will accept the HOF induction on his father's behalf.

“I haven't quite figured out what to say yet,” she said.

She has plenty to draw from.

Heitzer set the WPIAL record in the 200 low hurdles by running the event in 23.6 seconds in 1937. He broke that mark by running a 23.3 in 1938.

He wound up placing fourth in that event at the PIAA meet in 1939.

Heitzer was also a frequent winner of the 100-yard dash and long jump. He served as anchor man on the Golden Tornado's mile and 880-yard relay teams.

He was named Butler Track MVP in 1939.

His coach was Joe Mixer, who went on to become Gibala's guidance counselor at Butler in later years.

“He used to tell me stories about my dad's track career,” Gibala said.

Heitzer did not go on to college to compete. He went to the United States Air Force instead, where he serviced planes and served as a gunner on aircrafts during World War II.

Heitzer took part in the famed invasion of Normandy during the war.

During the Armed Forces Track and Field meet in London, England, he won gold medals in the long jump and 100-yard dash.

Ironically, it was Heitzer's passion for running that passed down to his daughters and helped to get girls sports established at Butler High School.

Gibala is a 1964 Butler graduate.

“I was a runner,” she said. “My claim to fame that way was winning the decathlon trophy on the summer playground at Lyndora school when I was in eighth grade.

“They didn't allow girls to do sports when I was in high school. I used to sit in class with coach Ed Hepe and repeatedly ask him why girls didn't have a team, why we weren't allowed to participate.

“A few years later, Mr. Hepe's daughter, Nancy, who was a friend of mine, helped get the girls team started. My sister (Ruthan) is 10 years younger than me. By the time she was in high school, she was able to compete on a team.”

Heitzer was a standout golfer and bowler on VFW teams after he left the service. He was one of Butler's early sports legends.

“Dad never talked much about his records,” Gibala said. “We're proud of his legacy. It's great he's going into this (Hall of Fame). He belongs there.”

Tickets for the Hall of Fame banquet are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Tables of eight are $200. Tickets are available at Parker's Appliance in Chicora, Moses Jewelers at the Clearview Mall, The Butler Radio Network in Butler and Saxonburg Drug.