William Arthur "Bill" Bieber, 61, of Butler died early Tuesday morning at Butler Memorial Hospital after an illness.

Born Feb. 13, 1945, in Lancaster Township, he was the son of Ralph and Beulah Domhaff Bieber.

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Middle Lancaster, where he enjoyed playing in the church softball league.

He served in the Army from 1965 to 1967, received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal and was a member of the Meridian Vets Club.

Mr. Bieber was a tack welder at Pullman Standard for 19 years before the plant closed. He then worked at Vic Nor Farms, the Pinkerton Security Co. and the Central Chemical Co. Due to his illness, he retired from Culligan after 15 years and was well known for delivering bottled water and salt.

He enjoyed playing softball, hunting, gardening, working outside, square dancing and playing the beanbag toss game in competition with his friends.

Surviving are his wife, Elaine Blair Stephenson-Bieber, whom he married July 13, 1996; his children, William A. "Billy" A. Jr. and Barry A. Bieber, both of Prospect, Jeff and Katie Stephenson and Greg and Jaci Stephenson, all of Butler, and Lisa Stephenson at home; and two grandsons, Kyle and Shane Stephenson, both of Butler.

He is also survived by two brothers and a sister- in-law, Clare Bieber of Harmony, Robert and Shirley Bieber of Evans City; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Fay and William Collins and Sally and Thomas Davis, all of Harmony, Janet Bintrim of Portersville and Charlotte and Clair Bupp of Butler; and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grand nephews; two great-grandnephews; and a great-grandniece.

He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

<B>BIEBER </B>— Friends of William A Bieber who died Tuesday, July 11, 2006. will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home</B>, 387 Main St., Prospect. Visitation also will held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Zion Lutheran Church, Middle Lancaster, where services will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Margaret Suhr-Barkley officiating. A committal service and burial will follow at the church cemetery.Memorial contributions can be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, 557 Perry Highway, Harmony PA 16037.For more information go to www.raisleyfuneralhome.com.