He was an expert at steer hazing.

He judged rodeos for nearly 50 years.

He was one of the most ardent supporters of Moniteau High School athletics and his friends and family say no one ever uttered a bad word about him.

He was 81-year-old Bill Slater, and Wednesday he became Butler County's first casualty of the coronavirus.

“It was a total shock,” said Dee (Slater) Arblaster, the youngest of Slater's four children.

Bill Slater was a pillar in the rural communities nestled in the nexus of Cherry, Clay, Washington and Concord townships, areas highlighted by fertile farmland and lush woods.

And home of the North Washington Rodeo.

Slater was a staple there, judging local and high school competitions.

He also traveled all over the Eastern United States as a judge for the International Rodeo Association and the American Rodeo Association.

Mike Lyons, 75, of West Sunbury was a rodeo judge with Slater for more than 20 years.

“We probably traveled a million and a half miles together,” he said. “He taught me the business of rodeo. There was no way but the right way in his eyes. He was fair and everyone respected him. He put no bearing on your address — you could be from New York City or Fort Worth, Texas, if you won the deal you got the big check.”

In addition to his prowess as a judge, Slater had another rodeo talent — hazing.

A steer hazer is a key part of steer wrestling. He's the second rider who keeps the steer running straight out of the shoot.

“He was one of the best in the world at it,” Lyons said.

Lyons and Slater had a strong bond long before they began traveling together to judge rodeos.

“I always called him dad,” Lyons said, chuckling softly. “It was kind of a joke between us.”

Lyons met Slater when he was 25. He said Slater taught him what it meant to be a man.

“It's been hard for me,” Lyons said, choking back emotion and fighting back tears. “He was my best friend.”

Slater worked at ARMCO Steel most of his adult life and also helped out at his brother Bob's meat market — Slaters Meats & More — in Karns City.

It's there he mingled with members of the area's rural communities and formed lasting friendships.

“He was one of the kindest men I've ever known,” Arblaster said. “He'd do anything for you.”

Arblaster said her father was always supportive of her athletic career.

At Moniteau Area High School, Arblaster was a standout basketball player, and is currently in her second stint as the Moniteau girls head basketball coach.

Arblaster said her father also backed her siblings — brothers Tim and Don and sister Bobbi — in everything they did.

“He always supported me as a coach,” she said. “He was always at my games, cheering me on.”

Lance Kauf, 74, of West Sunbury, also knew Slater well.

When asked to describe his dear friend of more than 50 years, Kauf paused before saying, voice cracking, “Respected. Honest in his dealings. We were the best of friends.”

Kauf moved away from the area in 1967, but still kept in touch with Slater.

When he moved back in 2006, Slater was the first friend to welcome him home.

“Just a great fella,” Kauf said. “There weren't too many like him.”

Arblaster said her father became ill early last week and finally went to the emergency room on Friday.

He was sent home with vertigo.

Two days later he was admitted to the hospital, Arblaster said, and diagnosed with double pneumonia.

On Monday, as his condition worsened, the family was notified Slater tested positive for COVID-19, Arblaster said.

After making mild improvement Tuesday, Slater died at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

He was buried Thursday.

“I had a pretty rough time (Wednesday),” Kauf said. “It feels good to talk about Bill and to honor his life.”

Lyons said if there was one thing he could say about his friend, Bill Slater, it would be that there was no one he didn't like.

“He'd tell you when you were wrong,” Lyons said. “He'd also slap you on the back when you were right. He will be sorrowfully missed, by his family and by his rodeo family.”

County coronavirus count climbs to 20

Slater's death was the first in the county attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic impacting Pennsylvania. Numbers rise daily.

More patients are being treated for suspected and confirmed cases of the coronavirus at Butler Health System. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health website, Butler County had 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one confirmed death from the virus as of noon Thursday.

As of Thursday morning, Butler Memorial Hospital reported treating 14 inpatients in relation to the virus, with 13 being suspected cases and one having been confirmed. Of those 14 inpatients, four were being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. BHS also provided data for Clarion Hospital which still has two patients, both suspected of having the virus and both in the ICU. Through Wednesday, the staff had tested 680 patients with 476 of those coming through the outdoor facility, while Clarion performed 93 tests at its own outdoor facility. According to spokeswoman Jana Panther, the hospital has a healthy stock of supplies at this time, but the system is still accepting financial and supply donations. “BHS continues to encourage and is receiving any donations of personal protective equipment,” Panther said.