George B. Laconi, 84, of Butler died at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday at his home after an illness.

Born Feb. 22, 1922, in Butler, he was the son of Vincent James and Antonia DeFoggi Laconi.

He was a member of the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Laconi was a Navy veteran of World War II.

He was a graduate of the Pittsburgh Art Institute and had worked at Armco-Butler Works and retired from the advertising department of the Butler Eagle, where he received numerous advertising awards.

He was a member of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and served on the committee for the Hall of Fame.

Mr. Laconi had played semi-pro football for the Butler Cubs.

Surviving are his wife, Yvonne L. Slater Laconi, whom he married in November 1986; two daughters, Mrs. Bill (Joyce) Johnson of Butler and Florida and Eloise Spryn of Wheeling, W. Va.; a son, James Laconi of San Bernardino, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Curtis (Lori) Heakins of Saxonburg and Mrs. James (Beth) Giuliano of Butler; a stepson, Bill Wilson of St. Clairsville, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He also is survived by a sister, Corrine O'Donnell of Butler; a brother, Regis Laconi of Butler; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie Parizio Laconi; four sisters; and two brothers.

<B>LACONI </B>— Friends of George B. Laconi, who died Wednesday, July 19, 2006, will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the <B>Young Funeral Home</B>, 127 W. Jefferson St. A blessing service will follow at 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Private burial will be at the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church Cemetery.Information is available at www.youngfuneralhomes.com.