Wise

Alvin (Al) L. Wise, of Butler, passed away Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the age of 81. Al was with friends on a hiking trip in Utah when he fell victim to a heart attack.

Al was born on Aug. 4, 1942, in Butler, and was the son to the late Clair (Bus) and Willa Mae (Rice) Wise also of Butler.

Al graduated from Butler High School in 1961, then joined the American Hardware Company in their quest to break the Teamsters union in Pittsburgh and moved to the quiet of the suburbs in rural East Butler.

In January of 1964, Al joined the United States Air Force, taking basic training at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, with further training in navigation equipment repair at Kessler Air Force base in Biloxi, Miss.

After he finished his training in December of 1964, he was then transferred to an F101 fighter squadron at Grand Forks, N.D., Air Force base where he spent the balance of his Air Force career.

After returning to Butler, Al married Marilyn Handte on June 6, 1965, in Fenelton.

Al continued to work at American Hardware in the print shop division until moving up to become an assistant buyer of paint. In 1973, Al was selected as one of three people to start the lumber and building materials department. During his 38-year career, Al helped American Hardware grow into a giant in the hardware and lumber wholesale business to become ServiStar Corporation with more than 4,000 stores nationwide.

Al and Marilyn Wise were married for 26 years, during which time they raised three children, Traci, Wendy and Melissa.

Upon his retirement in July of 1999, Al moved to Rehoboth Beach, Del., with his spouse, Robert Painter (deceased) where they worked in retail and then the tourist industry while enjoying the peaceful life of southern Delaware.

Eventually, to spend more time with his family, Al moved from Delaware to Washington state, and finally, Fernley, Nev. Al was dedicated to his daughters and enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow into successful young adults.

Al is survived by his three daughters, Traci Cochran of Reno, Nev., Wendy Weitzel and her husband, James Musser, of Butler, and Melissa Noel of Fernley Nev.; two stepsons, Christopher Painter of Butler and Gregory Painter of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; two brothers, Michael Wise and wife, Jo-Ann, of The Woodlands, Texas, and Dennis Wise and wife, Gayle, of Butler; five grandchildren, Brittany (Weitzel) Rogerson of Hermitage, Pa., Dylan Weitzel of Chicora, Robert Cochran of Reno Nev., Forest Noel of Fernley, Nev., and Chelsey Heisler of Lakeworth, Fla.; seven step-grandchildren, Hunter Noel of Sparks, Nev., Amber Noel of Hutchinson, Minn., Mark Musser and James Musser III, both of Butler, Madison K. Sibble of Bosie, Idaho, and Cali and Emily Painter, both of Milford, Del.; and three great-grandchildren, Jayden Wietzel of Chicora, and Owen and Dean Rogerson of Hermitage.

WISE — Alvin (Al) L. Wise, who died Saturday, May 11, 2024, has been cremated and will be laid to rest in Butler County Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Butler. All who knew Al are invited to the ceremony and luncheon immediately after.

The committal ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, at Butler County Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 380 Evans City Road. The luncheon will follow at the Rotary Shelter at Butler Memorial Park. The Rotary shelter is located at the rear of the parking lot.

Instead of flowers, Al requested donations be made to your local SPCA or to do something nice for a needy person in his name.

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