William “Bill” Paul Gahagan

On Sunday, July 12, 2020, our beloved William Paul Gahagan, “Bill,” of Butler, was called home to be with the Lord.

He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family after a short illness.

Born March 7, 1935, he was the son of the late William and Peg (Bash) Gahagan.

Bill was a veteran of the Vietnam War with the U.S. Navy. He retired after more than 20 years of service; he attained the rank of chief petty officer. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, he worked as a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service in Butler for 22 years.

He excelled at gardening, growing vegetables and flowers of all sort. His basement looked like a greenhouse every winter. He loved to work outside and his yard could mirror those of any major league baseball park. He could be seen with a cold beer and a fishing rod in his hand.

“Pappy” could be found many summer evenings at Center Township fields watching his grandsons play.

He would read anything — mystery or historical — once he could get his hands on it, often reading more than one book at a time. He was an avid bowler, always asking his advice from his granddaughter, who would say, “Always get a strike!”

His love of the Navy still continued after his service with his hobby of building model airplanes. Most Sunday nights consisted of huge family meals followed by very competitive games of badminton.

This coming September, he would have shared 59 years of marriage with his wife, Sally (McDonald) Gahagan.

In addition to his wife, family includes his son, Bill (Cherie) Gahagan; his daughter Shelley (Mark) Milich; a granddaughter, Savannah Milich and her fiancée Dustin Neff; and grandsons, Dane Milich, Trevor Gahagan and Collin Gahagan, all from Butler. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Gahagan.

He also was a member of V.F.W. and the Moose Lodge.

GAHAGAN — Friends of William “Bill” Paul Gahagan, who died Sunday, July 12, 2020, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Friday.Due to public health concerns and current regulations, the family requests that attendees please wear a facial covering.A blessing service will be at 6 p.m., at the funeral home, followed with military honors by the American Legion and V.FW. honor guard. Entombment will be in the mausoleum of Calvary Cemetery.For more information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.geibelfuneralhome.com.