Retired State Police Sergeant William A. Molczan, son of the late Michael and Rose Hardonik, passed away at the VNA in-patient hospice in the early morning hours of Friday.

He was born on the North Side of Pittsburgh May 27, 1925. He attended Oliver High School until the age of 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December of 1942. During World War II, he served in the Pacific Theater on the USS Canberra, a heavy cruiser, as an anti-aircraft gunner. He participated in numerous battles, such as Iwo Jima, Guam and Okinawa, to name a few. On Friday the 13th in October of 1944, the Canberra was torpedoed causing the loss of 23 lives. The ship was being repaired at wars end.

After the war, Mr. Molczan returned to Pittsburgh and worked at H.J. Heinz while completing his education. This led to his lifelong passion for canning everything he grew in his extensive gardens.

In 1950, he enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police and served in numerous substations throughout Troop D, including New Castle, Mercer, Beaver Falls, Warrendale, Kittanning and Butler. He retired in 1985 after 36 years of dedicated service.

William was past president of the Fraternal Order of Police (Brady Paul Lodge 54), the Butler County Law Enforcement Officers Association and the Butler County Farmer's Market. He was also a member of the American Legion (Post 778 Lyndora), a life member of the VFW (Post 249), the Knights of Columbus, the Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees and an Old Plank Owner of the USS Canberra.

In 2011 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Voters Hall of Fame for having voted in every election for 50 consecutive years. He also enjoyed spending time at his camp near Tionesta.

William was preceded in death by his only daughter, Mary 'Joyce;' two brothers, John (in infancy) and Eugene; and one sister, Doris.

He is survived by his loving wife of more than 60 years, Mary (Hilosky) Molczan; three sons, James of Erie, Jeffrey and his wife, Terri, of Butler and William and his wife, Rebecca, of Pittsburgh; and eight grandchildren, Michael (and his wife, Jessica), Jessica, Jared, and Sara of Erie, Kayla, Sarah and Jenna of Butler, and Kathryn of Pittsburgh.

MOLCZAN — Friends of William A. Molczan, who died Friday, July 27, 2012, will be received in the Young Funeral Home, 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday from St. Fidelis Parish, Meridian.Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with a state police escort and military honors at the graveside by the American Legion 778 and the VFW 249.More information is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.