William "Chet" Joyner, 86, of Hermitage, formerly of Indiana, Pa., died Wednesday at Nugent's Nursing Home, Hermitage.

He was born in 1923 in Indiana County, to Gleason R. and Edith Mae Calhoun Joyner.

A veteran of World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Bronze Star. He also was awarded the European Theatre Medal with five campaign stars and the Bronze Arrowhead for the landing at Omaha Beach.

Chet was a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon and elder and sang in the church choir. He also was a member of VFW Post 1989 and AARP Evergreen Chapter 258.

Mr. Joyner was employed for 39 years with Nationwide Insurance Co. as a commercial field underwriter.

Along with his wife of 66 years, he enjoyed camping and traveling in America and Europe.

Chet is survived by his wife, Dorothy E. Towsey Joyner of Hermitage; two daughters, Kathleen Ann Wetzel and her husband, Gerald, of Butler; and Suzanne Faye Nupp and her husband, David, of Hernitage; three grandchildren, Melanie D. Nupp Cracraft and her husband, Floyd, of Hubbard, Ohio, Robert D. Nupp and his wife, Amy Weaver, of Ballwin, Mo., and Steven P. Wetzel of Butler; and one great-granddaughter, Abby Lynn Cracraft.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister and three brothers, Frances Folckemer and Robert G., Harold C. and James "Bert" Joyner.

<B>JOYNER </B>— Friends of William "Chet" Joyner, who died Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Bowser-Minich Funeral Home</B>, Indiana, Pa., where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. David Hanna officiating. Military honors will be provided by the VFW Post 1989. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Presbyterian Church, 695 School St., Indiana, PA 15701.Information also is available at www.bowserminich.com.