State troopers Joseph Appel, left, and William Molczan, right, visit William McDanald, 83, on Dec. 23, 1970, at Sunnyview Home. McDanald was believed to be the oldest living former state trooper in the area at the time. Butler Eagle File Photo

William McDanald enlisted with the Pennsylvania state police in 1907, when Troop D was stationed in Punxsutawney, and he worked as a state trooper until he was discharged in 1924 as a corporal.

State troopers in December 1970 visited McDanald at Sunnyview Home when he was 83 years old. He told the troopers that he joined the state police long before the State Police Academy was established in Hershey, so he got his training while on the job.

Following his discharge from the state police, McDanald opened a leather shop, where he sold belts and “Sam Browne” holsters used by many people in the Butler area.

“Sometimes somebody comes up to me here (at Sunnyview) and asks me if I recognize the belt they’re wearing,” McDanald said. “’Yes,’ I say, ‘because I made it.’”