Rankin

William W. “Bill” Rankin, of Gibsonia, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Carla; his two sons, Mark L. (Mary) of Atlanta, Ga., and Matthew E. (Lea) of Doylestown, Pa.; and a brother, Robert G. (Daneen) in Cincinnati. He also leaves behind four grandchildren, Matt, Lexi, Isaac and Eve; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill Rankin was born in Pittsburgh in 1938, the son of Wesley O. and Mary B. Rankin. He grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pa. He graduated magna cum laude from Westminster College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business administration. While at Westminster, Bill was active in student government and athletics and was elected to the Titan Sports Hall of Fame for tennis. Bill then received an Master of Business Administration from Pace University in New York City.

He worked at Pfizer for almost 33 years, both in the U.S. and abroad, retiring in 1999 as vice president of employee resources for Pfizer Consumer Health Care Group. In 2000, he returned to Pittsburgh and lived in the Treesdale golf community in Gibsonia, where he reengaged with Westminster. He was a three-term member of the board of trustees, was elected a trustee emeritus in 2017 and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2022. Bill received an Alumni Citation award in 2016 for his contributions to the college, which included two scholarships and being the lead donor and major fundraiser for the establishment of the Bill Rankin Golf Center — an indoor facility for the men’s and women’s golf teams.

In addition to his work at Westminster, Bill served as an elder at Valencia Presbyterian Church in Valencia, and donated a lending closet and established a church scholarship. He was an active member of the Treesdale Golf and Country Club, where he served as a member of the membership committee and men’s golf committee, and as the board chair.

Bill was a lifelong sports fan (40-year-plus Jets and Giants season tickets holder) and sports historian (providing feedback to several books and halls of fame). He became a “late starter” golfer, winning several senior club championships, as well as having two holes-in-one and shooting his age at both 76 and 84.

RANKIN — Viewing for William W. “Bill” Rankin, who died Wednesday, March 27, 2024, will take place from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Valencia Presbyterian Church, 80 Sterrett St., Valencia, with the Rev. Gary Weston officiating. Please meet at the church. Entombment will be in the Holy Savior Mausoleum, Richland Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Valencia Presbyterian Church, 80 Sterrett St., Valencia PA 16059, or Westminster College, 319 South Market St., New Wilmington, PA 16172, for the William W. Rankin Scholarship Fund or the Bill Rankin Scholarship Fund.

Bill will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.