William L. Gleason

William L. Gleason “Pap Billâ€

AUSTIN, PA---William L. “Bill†Gleason, 68, of Austin, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2012 with his loving family at his side in Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, after a brief illness.

Born July 23, 1943 in Blossburg, he was a son of Levi E. and Lois J. Hogue Gleason. On April 29, 1961 in E.U.B Church in the Prouty, he married Phyllis E. Kio, who survives.

Bill was a graduate of Austin Area School, class of 1961 and also obtained a diploma in Wildlife/Forestry Conservation. He held licenses in electrical inspection, and gas and oil heating. He was first employed as a carpenter apprentice with JC Kolcan Construction in Berea, Ohio. He was later employed by United Natural Gas in Wharton and by Transcontinental Gas Pipeline in Wharton. He then was an owner/operator of a full service Exxon gas station, the former Wm. Gleason & Son’s in Austin where he was a licensed PA inspection mechanic. He later was employed by Conn-E Construction in Seaford, Delaware, Kio Construction in Austin, and Ayers Contracting in Austin.

Bill was a lifetime member of the NRA. He enjoyed hunting, having taken several trips to Wyoming to hunt. He also enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to Alaska and he enjoyed woodworking. He was an avid reader. He loved spending time with his family, most especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Teresa J. “Teri†(Michael) Cooney of Austin; two sons, William J. “Bill†(Wendy) Gleason of Coudersport and Samuel J. “Sam†(Lori) Gleason of Austin; eight grandchildren, Josh (Staci) Cooney, Chase (Hilary) Cooney, Jarred (Loretta Lininger) Gleason, Megan Gleason, Kayla Gleason, Macy Gleason, Brock Belkowski and Brady Belkowski; three great-grandchildren, Carly Cooney, Carson Cooney, and Caroline Gleason; a brother, Jerry (Mary Lee) Gleason of Bolivar, NY; four sisters, Janyce Riehle of Panama City, FL, Doris Ianson of Conrad and Freda (Clayton) Reed and Judy (Daryl) Jackson, both of Coudersport; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by a granddaughter, Amy Cooney; two brothers, Richard Gleason and James Gleason; and a sister, Lois Brown.

Friends are invited to attend a gathering to celebrate Bill’s life at the East Fork Sportsmen’s Club, East Fork Road, Austin on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Bill’s family’s favorite charity, McGuire Memorial Foundation, 2119 Mercer Road, New Brighton, PA 15066-3437 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.